«."»* 


• 


' 


., 


*  »flfc 


BERKELEY 


LIBRARY 

J 


UNIVERSITY  OF 
.^AllFORNIA 


A  HISTORY 

OF 

TONG,   SHROPSHIRE, 

WITH 

NOTES    ON    BOSCOBEL. 


TjA<vrltJ  /. 


*Aj. 


Walker  &  BoutiH.Ph.3c 


All      Rights    Reserved. 


A    HISTORY 


TONG,  SHROPSHIRE, 


Church,  Manor,  Parish,  College, 
Early  Owners,  and  Clergy, 


NOTES    ON    BOSCOBEL, 

BY 

GEORGE   GRIFFITHS, 

OF  WESTON-UNDER-LIZARD. 

ILLUSTRATED, 

BY 

Edmund  H.  New,  Gertrude  M.   Bradley,  and 
Charles  W.  S.  Dixon. 


Second  Titian,  tottf)  Attritions. 


NEWPORT,    MARKET    DRAYTON,    AND'  STONE: 
Horne  &  Bennion,  "Advertiser"  Offices. 

LONDON : 
Simpkin,  Marshall,  Hamilton,  Kent,  &  Co.,  ltd. 

MDCCCXCIV. 


"  Religion  never  was  designed 
To  make  our  pleasures  less." 

Watts. 


No  entertainment  is  so  cheap  as  reading,  nor  any  pleasure  so  lasting." 

Lady  Mary  Worthy  Montague. 


"  The  knights  are  dust, 
Their  swords  are  rust, 
Their  souls  are  with  the  saints  we  trust." 


The  Church  was  old  and  grey,  with  ivy  clinging  to  the  walls,  and  round 
the  porch.  It  was  a  very  quiet  place,  as  such  a  place  should  be,  save  for 
the  cawing  of  the  rooks,  who  had  built  their  nests  among  the  branches  of 
some  tall  old  trees. 

"  Let  us  wair  here,"  rejoined  Nell,  "  the  gate  is  open.  We  will  sit  in  the 
church  porch  till  you  come  back." 

"  A  good  place,  too,"  said  the  schoolmaster,  placing  his  portmanteau  on 
the  stone  seat. 

It  was  a  very  aged,  ghostly  place.  The  church  had  been  built  many 
hundreds  of  years  ago,  and  had  once  had  a  convent  or  monastery  attached  ; 
for  arches  in  ruins,  remains  of  oriel  windows,  and  fragments  of  blackened 
walls  were  yet  standing.  They  admired  everything — the  old,  grey  porch, 
the  mullioned  windows,  the  venerable  gravestones  dotting  the  green  church- 
yard, the  ancient  tower,  the  very  weathercock,  the  brown  thatched  roofs  of 
cottage,  barn,  and  homestead,  peeping  from  among  the  trees  ;  the  stream 
that  rippled  by  the  distant  watermill,  the  blue  Welch  mountains  far  away 

Dickens'  Old  Curiosity  Shop. 


D/H90 


©Jjfe  TOotk  i»  (Stattfttllg  Eniwrfoe&  antf 
Betu'catrtr  to 

Wxt  €arl  anb  Ofrmnto  of  §xMoxb, 

on  tjje 

jFtftutfi  &itttt&eraatg  of  tfja'r  JSartiage, 

Bprfl  30tf>,  1894, 

332  ft*  &utf>ot. 


198 


vi. 

PREFACE    TO    THE    SECOND    EDITION, 
WITH    ADDITIONS. 

The  thousand  copies  which  comprised  the  first  edition  of 
my  work  on  Tong,  its  Parish  Church,  and  early  history, 
having  been  exhausted,  and  the  demand  for  the  book  by 
antiquarians  and  visitors  alike  continuing,  I  am  persuaded  to 
launch  this  second  and  enlarged  edition  with  much  con- 
fidence and  hope  of  public  approval. 

The  numerous  illustrations  and  additional  subjects  will,  I 
imagine,  increase  its  general  interest  and  usefulness. 
These  latter  embrace  : — 

The  Hengist  Tradition. 

Some  account  of  the  Earl  of  Bradford's  family  and  ancestry. 

Notes  upon  the  Restoration  of  the  Church,  Slabs  found,  the  Stanley 
Tomb,  &c,  and  numerous  revisions  throughout. 

An  account  of  Tong  College  and  its  quaint  rules. 

A  document  recording  the  Perambulation  of  the  Boundary  of  the 
Lordship  or  Manor  and  Parish  of  Tong  in  171 8,  with  local  notes  upon 
perambulations,  millers,  maypoles,  the  tithe  pig,  marlpits,  Tong 
tournament,  factory,  and  clockmakers,  surnames,  &c. 

Memoranda  of  the  Durant  family. 

Tong  Church  Registers,  and  a  Proclamation  found  in  the  parish 
chest  as  to  Gunpowder  Plot. 

Some  account  of  the  famous  Ladies  of  Tong,  viz.  :  Venetia  Lady 
Digby,  Lady  Mary  Wortley  Montague,  Mrs.  Fitzherbert,  Isabella 
Forester,  Lady  Stafford,  and  Dorothy  Vernon. 

Some  account  of  Boscobel,  which  is  just  outside  Tong  parish,  and 
particularly  of  the  Royal  Oak,  the  shelter  of  King  Charles  II ;  the 
faithful  Penderels  of  Hubbal  Grange  in  Tong.  The  Nunneries  of 
White  Ladies  and  Black  Ladies,  immediately  on  the  outskirts. 

Early  Deeds  of  the  Pemburges,  Vernons,  and  Stanleys,  forming  a 
portion  of  this  edition,  are  of  interest  to  antiquarians,  and  will  help, 
when  time  permits  a  fuller  examination,  to  throw  more  light  upon  the 
ancient  history  of  Tong. 

I  desire  to  record  my  grateful  thanks  to  the  Earl  and 
Countess  of  Bradford  for  their  kind  and  approving  letters 
written  on  the  publication  of  the  first  edition.  I  must 
also  mention  the  valuable  help  rendered  me  by  Mr.  Walter 
de  Gray  Birch,  F.R.S.L,,  of  the  British  Museum,  and  by  MS. 
Notes  of  the  Rev.  R.  G.  Lawrence,  a  former  Vicar  of  Tong. 

To  others,  whose  names  are  mentioned  throughout  the 
work,  I  am  desirous  to  express  my  obligations  for  their 
courtesy. 

GEORGE  GRIFFITHS. 

Weston-under-L  izard, 

30th  April,  1894. 


Vll. 

PREFACE    TO    THE    FIRST    EDITION. 

This  little  book  has  been  printed  in  the  hope  that  it  may  be  useful  in 
refreshing  the  memories  of  those  visitors  to  Tong  Church  who  are  already 
in  some  degree  acquainted  with  its  ancient  and  historic  associations ;  while 
to  the  many  tourists  from  neighbouring  towns  who  resort  to  the  village, 
it  may  be  not  only  a  "  guide  "  to  the  building,  but  a  reminder  of  a  pleasant 
holiday. 

The  compiler  is  not  unconscious  of  the  importance  and  delicacy  of  such 
a  task  as  the  description  of  Tong  Church,  but  hastens  to  defend  its  publica- 
tion as  supplying  the  great  want  of  a  handy  comprehensive  guide  to  a 
much-visited  edifice. 

He  has  endeavoured  to  introduce,  where  possible,  comments  upon  its 
rich  contents  by  abler  hands,  completing  the  remainder  with  an  ordinary 
notice  of  things  as  they  are  to  be  seen  at  present.  He  hopes  that  neither 
such  simple  language — nor  indeed  the  existence  of  conflicting  opinions 
upon  matters  of  remote  date — will  be  allowed  to  detract  from  the  lustre 
pertaining  to  the  objects  themselves. 

He  has  to  express  his  thanks  to  those  strangers  and  friends  who  have 
favoured  him  with  interesting  notes. 

GEO.  GRIFFITHS. 

Weston  Bank,  Shi/nal, 
1885. 


Letter  from  the  Earl  of  Bradford. 

Weston,  Shifnal,  Feby.  6, 1885. 

My  Dear  Sir,— Let  me  thank  you  very  much  for  the  book  you  have  sent  me  on  Tong 
Church.  I  think  it  is  very  nicely  got  up,  besides  the  merits  of  its  contents  as  a  guide  to 
Tong  Church  and  Parish. 

I  have  looked  through  it,  and  it  appears  to  me  to  be  full  of  correct  information, 
given  in  a  popular  way.  I  hope  it  may  prove  successful,  and  will  certainly  recommend 
my  friends  to  buy  it. 

Yrs.  very  faithfully, 

(Signed)  Bradford. 


Letter  From  the  Countess  of  Bradford. 

Weston  Park,  Shifnal,  Sept.  6,  1885. 

Dear  Sir,— I  am  quite  delighted  with  your  book,  and  accept  it  with  much  pleasure.  I 
have  read  a  great  part  of  it,  and  shall  study  it  one  day  in  the  Church  of  Tong.  I  cannot 
but  think  it  is  a  book  that  will  make  its  mark  in  the  County.  I  want  a  copy  at  once  to 
give  away  to  a  friend,  and  I  doubtless  shall  want  several  more.  With  thanks  and  con- 
gratulations on  its  success. 

Believe  me, 

Yours  truly, 

(Signed)  Selina  L.  Bradford. 


*'»"*-x*xx*x* 


ILLUSTRATIONS. 


AJg* 

Charles  I FronUspiece 

Tong  Church  and  Vicarage viil 

Plan  of  District   ** 

Plan  of  Church x 

Reference  to  Effigies xi 

Plan  of  Village xii 

Thong  Castle  and  Merlin 6 

Tone  Church  from  the  East,  p.  20 \  20 

Stanley  Tomb,  p.  65  ■> 

East  window,  3  Screens,  and  Pulpit 26 

Seal  of  Isabella  the  Foundress,  p.  214...  \ 

Font,  Tong  Church,  p.  27. ■"•••••  I   27 

White  Ladies  Abbey  Ruins  and  Gate- 1 

house,  p.  194 ' 

Sir  F.  dePembruge  IV.  Tomb,  p.  30 ) 

Sir  Richard  Vernon  Tomb,  p.  37 \   3° 

Sir  Harry  Vernon  Tomb,  p.  47  1 

Brass  to  Sir  W.  Vernon  42 

Sir  Harry  Vernon's  Tong  Castle  5° 

Brass  to  Sir  A.  Vernon 53 

Sir  Arthur  Vernon  Effigy,  p.  54 ) 

The  King's  Champion,  p.  61    . ..  I 

King  Charles  II.  and  the  Penderels  and  [    •>* 
Yates,  p.  180 ; 

Tong  Church— Choir-Stalls,  p.  74 "j 

Richard  and  Margaret  Vernon  Tomb,  h  74 

P  57 J 

Duke  of  Kingston  Deed    82 

Crystal  Ciborium 83 

Brass  to  W.  Skeffington    84 

Brass  to  Lady  Daunsey   86 

Tong  Castle,  as  at  present   90 

Vestry  Door 95 

Brass  to  Ralph  Elcock 96 


Plate  on 
Page. 
Great  Bell  of  Tong,  and   G.  Boden.l  T„ 
Clerk  .! I I0X 

Great  Bell  of  Tong „...  103 

Sir  Thomas  More  114 

Tong  College    12a 

The  Watchman 129 

Forge  Hammer  from  a  Coin  found  in\ 
Tong  Church  during  the  Restora-  I 
tion,  p.  142 [    ** 

Tong  Upper  Forge  Waterfall,  p.  142.  ... ) 

Hubbal  Grange,  p  204 142 

Convent  Lodge,  Entrance  to  Tong  Castle   156 

Dove-house,  p.  n  and  160   "^ 

Tong  Church  from  the  West,  and  Alms-  [-160 
house  ruins,  p.  160 J 

Lady  Mary  W.  Montague,  p.  166 

Venetia,  Lady  Digby,  p.  171  

Dorothy  Vernon,  p.  177    

Richard  Penderell,  p.  180 ["166 

Charles  II..  p.  183   

"  Mrs."  Jane  Lane,  p.  182 

Lady  Mary,  the  toast  of  the  Kit-cat  Club    167 

Mrs.  Fitzherbert i6g 

The  Royal  Oak,  photograph  in  1894 )  _„_ 

Black  Ladies,  p.  206  \  x"9 

The  Royal  Oak,  trunk  as  at  present 184 

Boscobel  and  the  Royal  Oak,  copy  of  a 

photograph  in  1879 185 

The  Royal  Oak,  with  brick  wall,  p.  187  \ 

Tong  Golden  Chapel  Roof,  p.  53  I  t0„ 

William  Penderell,  p.  179    f  IB' 

Sir  Kenelm  Digby,  p  173 ) 

White  Ladies— slabs,    \ 

White  Ladies— from  the  S.  E.  Corner  [■  200 

of  Ruins ) 

White   Ladies  as  a  Cart  Shed,  Tiles,  \ 

North     Doorway,      Dame       Joan  |  „_. 

Penderill's  Tomb    f2oa 

White  Ladies— hinge ) 

Plan  of  Stanley  Tomb,  Tong 226 


IX. 


PLAN  OF  DISTRICT 


CountyBoundary 
Parish       „ 
Main  Roads 
b-mile  Circle 


xr. 


A  Concise  Reference  to  ye  Effigies. 


NOTICE  that  ye  little  number  placed  against  each  illustrious  name  refers 

the  industrious  reader  alike  to  ye  Plan  of  ye  Church,  and  ye 

Bodye  of  ye  Boke. 


From  ye  Harcourts  of  the  Blood  Royale  of  Saxony,  ye  famous  De  Belmeis 
familie,  and  La  Zouches  descended  of  ye  Dukes  of  Brittany  :  came  Orabel 
de  Harcourt  married  to  Henry  de  Pembruge  of  Pembridge,  Co.  Hereford  ; 
"  my  faithfull  and  beloved  Henry,"  as  His  Majesty  described  him  :  from 
whom  in  very  direct  descent — 


SirTho: 
Ludlow 


'Elizabeth  de  Lingen= 
daughter  &  heire  to 
Sir  Raffe  Lingen  of 
Wigmore.  She 

built  ye  Church*. 
12 


=Sir  Fulke  de 

Pembruge 

12 


Juliana  de=Rich:  de 


Pembruge 
sister  and 
heire. 


Benedicta  de  Ludlow= 
13 


Vernon, 
from  the 
Vernons    off 
Normandie 


Sir  Richard  de  Vernon,  ye  Speaker  of  Lei'ster 
13  Parliament,  1426. 


Sir  Will:  Vernon=  Margaret  (Swynfen),  heiress  of  Sir 
14  14      Rob :  Pype  and  Spernor. 


Sir  Harry  Vernon=To  ye  Ladye  Anne  Talbot,  granddaughter 
15        to  ye  Great  Earl  Talbot. 


15 

Governor  &  Treasurer  to  Arthur, 
Prince  of  Wales,  elder  brother 
to  King  Henry  VIII.,  a  very 
worthie  Prince. 


Margaret  (Dymock)=Richard 


17 

dau:  of  Sir  Robert 
Dymock,  ye  King's 
champion. 


Vernon, 
Esq.    17 


Humphrey=Alice  de  Ludlow,    Arthur 
Vernon,  1 8  Vernon, 

Esq.  18  co-heire  of  her  Pryst 
grandfather  Sir  1 6 
Richd:  de  Ludlow. 


Sir  George  Vernon, 'buried  at  Bakewell,  leaving  two  lovely 
daughters  co-heires, 


Margaret  Vernon 
19 


=At  Haddon,  to  Sir  Tho: 
Stanley,  son  to  ye  Earle 
of  Derbie  1 9 


Dorothy^ 


=Sir  John  Manners, 
from  whom  His 
Grace  of  Rutland. 


Sir  Edw:  Stanley=Ye  Lady  Lucie  Percie,  daughter  to  ye  Duke  of 
1 9  I    Northumberland. 


From  whom  the  beautiful  Venetia,  Lady  Digby,  and  others. 


xu. 


W>MmM 


TONG — Early  History. 


THE  early  history  of  Ton; 


from  the  time  of 
the  Conquest  till  the  time  of  the  erection 
of  the  present  church,  about  141 1,  has  been 
given  in  the  most  complete  manner  possible 
by  Mr.  Eyton  in  his  Antiquities  of  Shropshire,  a 
work  so  scarce  and  expensive  as  to  be  generally 
inaccessible. 

I  have  therefore  extracted  from  it  his  prelim- 
inary remarks  on  the  place,  which  form  a  char- 
acteristic preface  : — 

"  Tong  was  for  centuries  the  abode  or 
heritage  of  mea  great  for  their  wisdom  or  their 
virtues,  eminent  either  from  their  prosperity  or 
their  misfortune.  The  retrospect  of  their  annals 
alternates  between  the  Palace  and  the  Feudal  Castle,  between 
the  Halls  of  Westminster  and  the  Council  Chamber  of  Princes, 
between  the  Battlefield,  the  Dungeon,  and  the  Grave.  The 
history  of  the  Lords  of  the  Manor  is  in  part  the  biography  of 
Princes  and  Prelates,  Earls  and  Barons,  Statesmen,  Generals, 
and  Jurists.  These  are  the  great  names  and  reminiscences 
with  which  the  place  is  associated:  The  Saxon  Earls  of  Mei 
— brave,  patient,  and  most  unfortunate  victims  of  inexorable 
progress  ;  then  their  three  Norman  successors — one  wise 
politic,  another  chivalrous  and  benevolent,  the  last  madly 
ambitious  and  monstrously  cruel  :  then  the  Majesty  of  England 


2  Early  History. 

represented  by  Henry  I.,  a  Prince  who  in  ability  for  ruling 
almost  equalled  his  father,  and  has  been  surpassed  by  none  of 
his  successors  ;  then  the  sumptuous  and  viceregal  pride  of  De 
Belmeis — Bishop,  General,  Statesman,  and  withal  very  Prince; 
his  collateral  heirs  with  their  various  and  wide-spread  interests, 
dim  in  the  distance  of  time,  but  traceable  to  a  common  origin  ; 
the  adventurous  genius  and  loyal  faith  of  Brittany  represented 
in  La  Zouch ;  tales  of  the  oscillating  favouritism  and  murder- 
ous treachery  of  King  John  ;  overweening  ambition  and  saddest 
misfortune  chronicled  in  the  name  of  De  Braose  ;  a  Harcourt 
miscalculating  the  signs  of  his  times,  and  ruined  by  the  error  ; 
a  race  of  Pembrugges,  whose  rapid  succession  tells  of  youth 
and  hope  and  the  early  grave  ;  then  the  open-handed  and 
magnificent  Vernons  ;  lastly  Stanley,  a  name  truly  English, 
and  ever  honourable  in  English  ears,  yet  for  one  of  whom  it 
was  fated  to  add  a  last  flower  to  the  chaplet  of  ancestral 
memories — to  cut  short  the  associations  which  five  centuries 
had  grouped  around  his  fair  inheritance." 


p-|d||HE  name  of  the  village  has  been  variously  spelt.  The 
§3c£  most  familiar  is  Tong,  by  some  attributed  to  the  sound 
or  "  Tong  "  of  a  large  deep,  full-toned  bell ;  Tonge,  as 
it  was  generally  spelt  in  the  last  century  and  previously  ;  and 
Tuange,  Twange,  Tuang,  Toang,  the  sound  of  a  smaller  "  tang- 
ing" bell.  The  working  classes  call  it  u  Tung,"  and  the  sur- 
names of  Tong  and  Tonge  are  met  with  among  inhabitants 
in  the  neighbouring  town  of  Shifnal. 

On  the  other  hand  it  is  said  that  Tong  or  Thong  was  in 
ancient  times  the  stronghold  of  Hengist  the  Saxon,  and  that 
the  name  is  derivable  from  a  tradition  connected  with  him,  to 
the  effect  that  the  British  King  who  had  hired  him  and  his. 


Early  History.  3 

followers  to  fight,  in  consideration  of  their  success  granted  to 
Hengist  as  much  land  as  an  ox-hide  would  encompass  ;  that 
thereupon  he  cut  the  hide  into  thongs  as  narrow  as  possible, 
and  upon  the  land  thus  encircled  formed  a  settlement  for  him- 
self and  followers. 

The  earliest  record,  or  rather  tale,  relating  to  Tong,  is  con- 
nected with  Hengist,  and  is  to  be  found  in  "  The  Chronicles 
of  Merry  England,"  of  which  a  translation  is  given  below. 
Of  the  state  of  the  country  it  may  be  briefly  noted 
that  the  withdrawal  of  the  Romans  to  look  after  their 
own  affairs  nearer  home,  left  some  parts  of  Britain 
destitute  of  armed  soldiers,  of  martial  stores,  and  of  all 
its  active  youth ;  but  generally  the  country  was  divided 
into  districts  under  provincial  Governors.  The  attacks  of 
Picts  and  Scots  led  to  confederations,  headed  some  by  British, 
some  by  Roman  chiefs,  which  caused  civil  strife.  This,  with 
a  religious  discussion  (arising  out  of  a  dispute  between  the 
native  bishops  and  Pelagius,  a  native  of  Wales),  plunged  the 
country  into  confusion.  Application  was  then  made  to  the 
Roman  General  for  aid,  but  in  vain.  At  this  juncture, 
Vortigern,  the  most  powerful  of  British  chiefs,  employed 
mercenaries  to  aid  in  fighting  his  battles.  The  old  Chronicle 
may  now  be  left  to  speak  for  itself.  "  Now  a  little  before  the 
Hallelujah  Victory  there  had  been  great  strife  among  the 
Britons,  whether  one  Aurelius,  or  his  brother  Uther,  surnamed 
Pendragon,  should  reign  over  them,  which  a  warrior  named 
Vortigern,  taking  advantage  of,  he  made  himself  king  in  their 
stead,  and  the  two  brethren  fled  into  Cornwall.  Vortigern, 
finding  his  crown  red-hot  to  him  by  reason  of  the  dis-affection 
of  his  subjects,  and  the  fears  he  had  of  his  enemies,  resolved 
to  strengthen  himself  by  alliance  with  the  Anglo-Saxons.  A 
detachment  of  these  enemies  of  his  country  in  their  war-galley 
had  just  landed  in  Kent,  headed  by  two  brothers  called 
Hengist  and  Horsa.     To  them  applied  this  unworthy  king, 


4  Early  History. 

with  messages  of  peace,  desiring  them  to  repair  to  his 
presence.  Forthwith  they  comply,  and  stand  before  the  king. 
Like  most  of  the  Anglo-Saxon  race  these  men  were  tall,  well- 
built  and  comely,  of  undaunted  yet  frank  and  pleasing  aspect, 
blue-eyed,  fresh  coloured,  and  with  pale,  brown  hair,  divided 
down  the  centre,  and  diffusing  itself  over  their  shoulders. 
King  Vortigern  having  surveyed  them  from  head  to  foot,  in- 
quired of  them  (what  he  knew  well  enough)  whence  they 
came,  and  with  what  object.  Hengist  being  the  mercury  of 
the  twain  made  answer,  according  to  the  Monmouth  Book,  as 
follows: — "  Most  noble  King!  Saxony  was  the  place  of  our 
birth,  and  our  object  in  coming  hither  was  to  offer  our  ser- 
vices to  you,  or  any  other  Prince  in  want  of  them.  It  is  a 
■custom  among  us,  that  when  our  country  is  over-populated 
we  should  cast  lots  to  decide  which  of  our  young  and  valiant 
men  shall  seek  their  fortunes  somewhere  else  ;  and  the  lot- 
having  lately  fallen  upon  us — you  see  us  in  your  presence." 
King  Vortigern,  regarding  them  earnestly,  asked  what  gods 
they  worshipped,  he  himself  being  professedly,  though  not 
much  in  practice,  a  Christian.  "  We  worship  our  country's 
gods,"  says  Hengist,  "  the  chief  of  whom  are  Woden  and 
Friga."  Then  said  Vortigern,  "  I  regret  your  ungodliness, 
but  am  glad  of  your  coming,  for  I  am  just  now  oppressed 
with  enemies  on  every  side,  and  if  you  will  aid  me  in  putting 
them  down,  I  will  entertain  you  honourably,  and  bestow  upon 
you  lands  and  other  distinctions."  Hengist  and  Horsa  could 
not  fail  of  being  satisfied  with  this  arrangement ;  and  an  army 
of  Picts  presently  breaking  in  upon  the  country  from  the 
North,  they  went  forth  with  Vortigern  against  them,  and 
enabled  him  to  gain  a  complete  victory.  Hengist  now 
thought  he  might  advance  a  little  on  his  demands ;  and 
although  Vortigern  had  already  bestowed  on  him  a  large 
grant  of  land,  he  came  to  him  and  said  "  My  lord  King  ! 
Your  enemies  are  again  making  head,  and  your  own  subjects 


Early  History.  5 

love  you  very  little.  With  your  leave,  we  will  send  over  to 
our  own  country  for  some  more  to  help  us  ;  and  there  is  also 
another  thing  I  shall  be  glad  to  mention  to  you."  "  What  is 
that?"  says  Vortigern.  "  Why,"  says  Hengist,  "the 
possessions  you  have  given  me  in  houses  and  lands,  are  cer- 
tainly very  large,  but  I  have  no  rank  conferred  upon  me  suit- 
able to  them.  I  should  wish  to  have  some  town  or  city  made 
over  to  me,  that  I  might  take  a  title  from  it,  and  thereby  find 
my  proper  place  among  your  own  nobility.  "  The  thing  you 
ask  now  is  out  of  my  power.  You  are  strangers  and  Pagans, 
and  my  nobility  would  be  highly  displeased."  "  Nay  then," 
says  Hengist,  "  give  me  at  all  events  so  much  land  in  addition 
to  what  I  have  already,  as  I  can  compass  with  thongs  cut 
from  a  single  hide  to  build  a  stronghold  upon  wherein  I  may 
shelter  if  there  be  need,  for  faithful  I  have  been  to  you,  and 
faithful  I  will  be."  "  Well,"  said  the  King,  "  I  will  grant 
you  that  much."  Whereon  Hengist  cut  his  thongs  as  narrow 
as  he  well  could,  and  having  already  selected  a  strong,  rocky 
position,  he  compassed  it  about,  and  built  a  strong  tower 
thereupon,  to  which  he   gave   the   name   of  Thong   Castle. 

Vortigern  married  Rowena,  the  daughter  of  Hengist  who 
became  King  of  Kent,  and  died  in  488. 

Hengist  and  Horsa,  Vortigern  and  Rowena,  are  said  by 
some  writers  to  be  mythical  persons.  Nevertheless  historians 
continue  to  repeat  the  account  of  their  doings  ;  as  there  are 
good  reasons  for  believing  that  the  commonly  received 
accounts  of  the  conquest,  are  based  upon  historical  facts. 
(Archeol.  Instit.,  1849). 

The  acreage  of  the  parish  is  now  set  down  as  3,465  acres. 
The  Tong  parish  in  Kent,  which  reasonably  claims  to  be  the 
one  connected  with  Hengist's  stronghold,  contains  but  1,600 
acres,  and  seems  to  be  now  of  small  account. 

A  picture  of  Thong  Castle,  from  Merlin's  book,  given  on 
another  page,  shows  an  extensive  fortress  occupying  a  site 


6  Early  History. 

corresponding  somewhat  with  that  of  the  Tong  Castle  referred 
to  in  these  notes.*  It  stands  upon  a  triangular  piece  of 
ground  formed  by  two  streams  which  unite  immediately 
below  the  western  tower  of  the  Castle. 


THONG  CASTLE  :  from 

Tlie  Life  of  Merlin,  surnamed  Ambrosius.  His  prophecies  and  predictions  interpreted, 
and  their  truth  made  good  by  our  English  annals.  Being  a  Chronological  History  from 
Bruti  to  the  raigne  of  our  Royal  Sovereign  King  Charles,  by  Thos.  Heywood.— London  : 
Printed  by  J.  Oakes,  1641. 

"Merlin  well  verst  in  manv  an  hidden  spell, 
His  Countries  < linen  did  long  since  foretell, 
Grac'd  in  his  Time  b>  tundrt  Kings  he  was, 
And  ad  that  In;  predicted  came  to  passe." 

•Merlin,  according  to  Plot,  being  "  the  British  Prophet  who  ilouribh't  about  the  year  480.' 


Early  History.  7 

In  the  British  ArcJmological  Journal,    Mr.  Tucker's   Report 

says  : 

The  Hengist  tradition  is  not  only  credible,  but  founded  on  fact.  The 
Prophet  Merlin  or  Ambrosius  was  associated  with  Shropshire.  It  is  worthy 
of  remark  that  the  author  gives  the  venerable  Bede,  and  Wm.  de  Regibus, 
as  authorities  for  this  tradition.  Hengist  landed  449,  and  died  488  ;  and 
flourished  contemporaneously  with  Merlin.  When  also  the  locality  is. 
admitted,  and  the  strange  coincidence  of  the  mention  of  the  building  of 
Tong  in  his  life,  and  the  representation  of  it  on  the  same  print  with  his. 
portrait  is  discovered,  it  appears  to  me  there  is  not  only  ground  for  accept- 
ing the  tradition  but  for  acknowledging  its  probability. 

In  a  letter  from  a  Kentish  authority  on  these  matters  the 
following  passage  occurs : 

Hengist  invaded  and  subdued  Kent.  He  had  nothing  whatever  to  do 
with  Salop.  The  stronghold  of  a  Saxon  Chief  was  not  a  stone  castle,  but 
an  earthen  mound,  surrounded  by  a  moat.  The  mound  remains  at  Tong  in 
Kent,  and  the  water  remains  at  its  foot,  long  utilised  as  a  millpool  and 
stream. 

In  Domesiay  bock  the  word  is  spelt  Tuange,  and  as  early 
as  1 167  the  two  names  occur  of  Tong  and  Tong  Norton,  which 
were  charged  with  a  fine  of  a  merk  for  an  offence  their  owner 
had  committed  against  the  harsh  Forest  Laws.  Twanga  is 
mentioned  by  Mr  Eyton  as  occurring  11 67,  and  Thonk  1212  ; 
1284  the  Manor  of  Tugge  occurs,  but  of  many  references 
Tong  and  Tonge  are  the  most  frequent.  The  opinion  of  an 
eminent  Shropshire  archaeologist  is,  however,  that  the  name 
is  simply  derivable  from  Thong-lands,  i.e.,  the  l^nds  of 
Thanes  or  Barons.  May  not  the  solution  of  these  conflicting 
opinions  be  that  the  cunning  device  of  the  Saxon  in  Kent  was 
imitated  in  Salop  in  a  time  when  the  rewards  for  great  military 
achievements  were  generally  the  lands  of  the  conquered  ? 

The  great  Roman  Road — the  Watling  Street  —passes 
through  the  northern  part  of  the  parish,  and  the  spot  where 
it  leaves  it  (at  Burlington),  crossing  the  brook  that  divides  the 
parishes  of  Tong  and  Shifnal,  was,  not  long  ago,  known  as 
Stoneyford,  a  name,  Mr.  Hartshorne  says,  traceable  to  the 
Roman  occupation. 


8  Early  History. 

The  first  owner  of  Tong,  of  whom  there  is  any  record* 
seems  to  have  been  Leofric,  called  Earl  of  Leicester,  who 
governed  the  North  part  of  Mercia  (a)  ;  he  married  the 
Lady  Godiva,  who,  with  her  husband,  is  said  to  have  numbered 
Tong  among  their  vast  possessions.  Their  son  Algar,  Earl  of 
Mercia  (1057)  married  a  sister  of  the  "  King  of  Wales,"  their 
sons  were  Morcar  and  Edwin. 

The  doings  of  Morcar  occupy  so  prominent  a  place  in  the 
history  of  his  time,  that  they  may  be  briefly  related  : — 

The  rule  of  Tostig  (Harold's  brother)  being  too  severe,  the 
Northumbrians  broke  into  insurrection  (1065)  when  they 
elected  Morcar  their  Earl,  which  act  their  king,  Edward  the 
Confessor,  confirmed. 

The  dignity  and  title  of  Earl  was  very  rarely  held,  and 
implied  much  absolute  authority  ;  indeed  Earls  were  little 
less  than  Kings  in  the  districts  they  governed,  which  were 
called  Shires.  The  Earl's  duty  was  to  lead  his  men  to  battle, 
to  preside  with  the  Bishops  in  the  Courts,  and  to  enforce  the 
execution  of  justice.  He  appears  to  have  received  one-third 
of  the  fines  paid  to  the  King. 

After  the  nobles,  in  the  social  scale,  there  were  two  classes 
of  freemen — Thanes  and  Ceorls — the  owners  and  cultivators 
of  the  soil. 

Thanes  held  lands  by  honourable  tenure  of  service  about 
the  person  of  their  Lord,  or  in  the  field,  the  law  requiring  one 
combatant  from  every  five  hides  of  land.  A  hide  is  said  to 
be  as  much  land  as  one  plough  would  cultivate  in  a  year. 

At  the  bottom  of  the  scale  were  Serfs  or  born  slaves 
generally  attached  to  the  Manor,  and  sold  with  the  land  and 
cattle,  or  sometimes  used  as   "  live  money  "  to  purchase  or 

(a)  Merci  i  extended  irom  London  to  the  Mersey  and  was  the  most  powerful  of  the 
Seven  Kingdoms  forming  the  Saxon  Heptarchy. 


Early  History.  g 

barter  goods,  being  valued  at  four  times  that  of  an  ox.     What 
an  unhappy  contrast  with  the  present  state  of  things  ! 

T.o  return  to  Morcar.  William  I.  having  won  the  Battle  of 
Hastings,  and  devastated  part  of  London  and  the  southern 
counties,  Earl  Morcar  (and  his  brother  Edwin)  submitted  to 
him  and  swore  allegiance  at  Berkhampsted.  They  accompanied 
the  King  into  Normandy  (1067),  but  returned  the  end  of  the 
same  year.  Edwin  for  his  services  was  promised  the  daughter 
of  William  in  marriage,  but  the  engagement  being  broken 
they,  stirred  up  the  people  against  William  I.;  they  were 
surprised  before  the  affair  was  ripe,  but  subsequently  par- 
doned. Morcar  joined  Hereward,  the  banished  Saxon,  who 
came  to  England,  and  became  a  rallying  point  for  all  who 
were  disaffected  to  the  new  government.  William  I.  broke 
up  their  "  Camp  of  Refuge"  (1071).  Morcar  submitted  but- 
was  condemned  to  perpetual  imprisonment ;  Edwin  was  slain 
in  an  attempt  to  escape ;  thus  the  last  effort  to  resist  the 
Conqueror  was  overcome,  and  the  conquest  became  complete. 
William  I.  was  now  bestowing  his  new  possessions  upon  his 
kinsmen  and  countrymen  who  had  accompanied  him  from, 
Normandy,  and  so  we  find  he  conferred  Tong  upon  Roger  de 
Montgomery  (created  Earl  of  Shrewsbury,  Chichester  and 
Arundel)  together  with  the  greater  part  of  the  land  in  the 
county  of  Salop,  f 

t  Ex.  Ross's  History. 


rJst       cslft       rSs*       cjrt       csV>       eJ/*       r<$S*       r^»       r^l       rA-»       cy*       r&t       rX*       cy» 

\J>  vf>  M>  *f>  Vj>  Vj>  xf *  Vj>  Af >  Vj>  x|>  X V  *V*>  vj> 

"^  * i^  *K^I^I>  4*  *T*  4*  4>  4>  4>  4>  *i>  4* 

OWNERS     OF     TONG. 

EARL  MORCAR,  elected  by  his  countrymen  Earl  of  Northumberland 
in  the  reign  of  Edward  the  Confessor  (1042-1066).  Tong  worth 
£11  annually  at  this  time.     He  forfeited  it  to  the  King. 

KING   WILLIAM   I.  who  conlerred  it  upon 

EARL  ROGER  DE  MONTGOMERY,  his  kinsman,  "The  Great  Earl."* 
Founded  Shrewsbury  Abbey.  Founded  or  rebuilt  Tong  Church, 
Tong  fully  described  in  Domesday  Book  about  1086,  valued  at  £6 
annually.! 

EARL  HUGH  DE  MONTGOMERY,  his  second  son,  succeeded  about 
1 100. 

EARL  ROBERT  DE  BELESME,  his  elder  brother,  who  rebelled,  and 
was  defeated,  forfeiting  it  to 

KING  HENRY  I.  ;  who  bestowed  it  upon 

RICHARD  DE  BELMEIS  I.,  Bishop  of  London  in  1108,  a  remarkable 
man,  a  great  jurist ;  he  consecrated  several  Bishops,  gave  all  his 
revenue  to  complete  magnificent  improvements  at  St.  Paul's  Cathe- 
dral, died  1127,  and  was  succeeded  by  his  nephews, 

RICHARD  DE  BELMEIS  II.,  as  to  Church  Lands  only,  He  was  Bishop 
of  London. 

PHILIP  DE  BELMEIS  (as  to  other  lands).  They  founded  Lilleshali 
Abbey.  Some  of  his  land  between  Tong  and  Brewood  was  the  sub- 
ject of  litigation  ;  the  Bishop  of  Lichfield  claimed  it — hence  probably 
the  name  Bishop's  Wood.  He  granted  lands  to  Buildwas  Abbey  ; 
and  to  Lilleshali  tithes  of  his  mills,  of  his  herds,  mares  and  colts, 
and  free  paunage  for  swine  in  his  woods,  also  advantage  of  his  woods 
for  fire  and  building  materials,  and  lands  at  Lizard  Grange,  the  once 
proposed  site  of  Lilleshali  Abbey.J 

PHILIP  DE  BELMEIS  his  son,  died  without  issue,  as  also  did 

RANULF  DE  BELMEIS  his  brother,  1167. 

ALICE  DE  BELMEIS,  his  sister,  who  married  ALAN  LA  ZOUCHE, 
descended  from  the  reigning  Dukes  of  Brittany.  The  land  of  "  Lusard  "' 
is  mentioned. 

(WM.  DE  BELMEIS,  grandson  of  Robert,  holds  land  at  Tong,  Hen.  III.) 

WILLIAM  LA  ZOUCHE  alias  DE  BELMEIS,  d.s. p.  Forcibly  ejected  a 
Clerk  from  Tong  advowson,  d.  1 199. 

•  The  authority  of  Earls,  within  their  province,  was  equal  to  that  of  Royalty  itself. 
They  granted  the  various  Manors  to  Knights  (or  armed  horsemen)  whom  they  undertook 
to  protect,  receiving  in  return  certain  military  service,  generally  40  days  every  year. 

t  The  depreciation  was  probably  due  to  the  devastation  attending  the  Conquest. 
Domesday  book  records  that  there  were  then  3  'hides,'  may  be  120  acres,  subject  to  the 
Bishop's  tax,  and  in  demesne  4  ox-teams,  and  13  slaves  and  poor  people  with  3  ox-teams, 
an  ox-team  being  said  to  be  as  much  land  as  one  plough  would  cultivate  in  a  year. 
Here  was  a  league  of  wood. 

t  "  The  grange"  of  which  there  are  three  in  this  Parish  (Lizard,  Hubbal,  and  Ruckley) 
and  many  in  this  neighbourhood,  is  denned  by  Mrs.  M.  E.  Walcott  from  an  old  document 
of  the  13th  century,  as  "  the  monastic  farm,  and  included  a  dove-cot,  ox-houses,  pig-styes, 
and  stables :  sometimes  a  large  one  had  a  hall  and  two  or  three  chambers  abutting  on  it, 
a  kitchen  and  a  court  enclosed  with  a  stone  wall,  pierced  with  a  gateway.  Some  granges 
were  only  thatch'd,  others  had  slatt  roofs."  [Ex.  Shreds  and  Patches,  Aug.  16,  1876.] 
Mr.  Hartshorne  also  defines  it  as  signifying  originally  a  farmhouse  or  granary  or  farm 
appertaining  to  a  monastery,  or  other  religious  house,  and  thus  in  time  the  term  became 
identified  with  the  place  itself,  hence  the  name,  granger  or  store-keeper,  a  farmer.. 
Pigeons  are  still  kept  at  Lizard  Grange,  as  indeed  they  are  at  most  Granges. 


Owners  of  Tong.  it 

ROGER  LA  ZOUCHE  alias  DE  BELMETS.*     Forfeited  Tong  1204  to 

KING  JOHN,  who  conferred  it  upon  his  favourite 

WM,  DE  BRAOSE,  1204  (he  had  some  undefined  interest  before  in  Tong). 
Soon  forfeited  it  to  King  John,  and  died  an  exile  :  his  wife  and  son  are 
said  to  have  been  starved  to  death.     King  John  again  confers  it  upon 

ROGER  LA  ZOUCHE  (before  named),  who  had  returned  to  allegiance,  and 
advanced  in  the  King's  favour  :  he  accompanied  the  King  on  several 
journeys  :  was  bound  to  find  2  men  to  fight  in  the  King's  army  in 
Wales  :  was  no  less  faithful  to  his  son,  Henry  III.;  made  a  grant  to 
Hugefort,  known  as  the  tenure  of  Chaplet  of  Roses.*  Died  1238. 

<HY.  DE  HUGEFORT,  query  undertenant  only). 

ALAN  LA  ZOUCHE  (son  of  Roger).  Distinguished  for  loyalty  and 
capacity,  a  great  jurist,  1240.  He  gave  the  monks  pasturage  for  their 
stock  at  Ruckley  Grange,  through  all  his  manor  of  Tong,  and  one 
swine  stall  in  his  wood  of  Brewde,  and  eight  cart  loads  of  fuel  yearly, 
1247.  He  further  gave  them  leave  to  take  old  stumps  in  Ruckley 
Wood,  and  provided  against  their  stock  straying  into  his  manor  of 
Tong  :  also  leave  to  make  a  bridge  at  Ruckley  :  the  monks  gave  up 
certain  privileges  before  granted,  but  reserved  site  for  a  mill  at  Timlet 
Holloway.     D.  1270. 

ALICE  LA  ZOUCHE,  his  sister,  who  married  WM.  DE  HARCOURT,  of 
the  blood  royal  of  Saxony,  was  in  1256  prosecuted  for  wasting  the 
Abbot's  trees  at  Lizard  Grange.  The  Marlpit  of  Methplekes  (?  Meashill), 
is  mentioned.      Died  1272. 

MARGERY  and  ORABEL  DE  HARCOURT,  their  daughters  and  co- 
heiresses. 

HENRY  DE  PEMBRUGE  married  ORABEL.  King  Henry  granted  to  his 
"  beloved  and  faithful  Henry  "  a  weekly  market  at  Tong  for  three  days, 
at  St.  Bartholomew's  Day.  The  Pembruges  came  from  Pembridge  co. 
Hereford,  a  family  of  high  antiquity  in  that  county. 

FULCO  DE  PEMBRUGE  I.,  only  son  of  Orabel  :  his  half-brother  insulted 
•Prince  Edmund  at  Warwick,  and  was  imprisoned  in  the  dungeons  of 
Wigmore  :  1 282,  is  not  yet  12  years  old,  1284  holds  the  manor  of 
Tugge  with  the  vill  of  Norton.  The  capital  messuage  valued  at 
5s.,  the  fish  in  the  Vivary  {i.e.  a  place  for  keeping  them  alive)  at 
2s.  8d.,  the  Dovecot  at  is.  8d.,t  and  the  Water  Mill  at  £2  per  year. 
The  Mill  was  below  the  Castle  in  all  probability  :  of  rents  mentioned,  is 
the  Chaplet  of  Roses. 

FULCO  DE  PENEBRUGGE  II.,  b.  1292,  d.  1326.  His  mother,  Lady  of 
Tong,  1297,  occurs  in  a  return,  as  liable  in  respect  of  her  property  of 
^20  or  over,  to  be  summoned  to  perform  military  service  with  horse  and 
arms,  in  parts  beyond  the  seas.  Fulco  claimed  right  to  fix  weight  and 
price  of  bread  and  beer,  and  to  hold  a  market  and  fair  at  Tong.  Of 
age  in  1312.     In  1314,  as  a  Knight  and  Lord  of  Tong,  gives  to  Bishop 

*  He  did  by  a  fair  deed  under  his  seal  on  which  was  his  pourtraiture  on  Horseback  in  a 
Military  Habit,  grant  unto  Henry  Hugefort,  and  his  Heirs,  three  Yards  lands,  3  Messuages, 
and  certain  Woods  in  Norton  and  Shaw  in  this  Parish  of  Tonge,  with  Paunage  for  a  great 
Number  of  Hogs  in  the  Woods  belonging  to  this,  his  Manor,  also  Liberty  of  Fishing  in  all 
his  Waters  there,  except  in  the  great  Pool  0/  Tonge,  with  other  Privileges,  viz.  :—  of 
gathering  Nuts  in  his  Woods  there,  &c,  rendering  yearly  to  him  the  said  Roger  and  his 
Heirs  a  Chaplet  of  Kos"s  upon  the  Feast  of  the  Nativity  of  St.  John  the  Baptist  in  case 
he  or  they  shall  be  at  Tonge,  if  not  then  to  be  put  upon  the  image  of  the  blessed  Virgin  in 
the  Church  of  Tonge  for  all  services,  suits  of  Court,  &c  [Ex  Magna  Brit  1  1"  1  Hike* 
Lloyd's  Shropshire  I  find  a  note  that  the  great  Pool  was  a  Meadow  in  1736,  but  I  am 
unable  to  identify  it. 

+  A  dove-house  stands  in  and  still  gives  a  name  to  part  of  the  Park  at  Tong,  between  the 
Castle  and  Church. 


12  Owners  of  Tong. 

.  of  Coventry  and  Lichfield  a  plot  of  wood  (?  near  Brewood).  Confirms 
free  road  for  the  monks'  sheep  and  animals  from  their  farm  (or  grange), 
at  Ruckley,  to  their  pasture  at  Donington  ;  also  to  make  a  fence  and 
bridge,  and  site  for  a  mill  at  Timlet.  In  1 313,  he  had  King's  pardon  for 
joining  the  Earl  of  Lancaster.  1319,  licence  to  exchange  10  acres  with 
Prioress  of  White  Ladies.  1322,  a  Knight  representing  Salop  at  York 
Parliament,  and  later  for  Gloucester  at  second  York  Parliament. 
1323- 1326,  summoned  to  levy  archers,  and  engaged  in  several  offices 
and  counsels.      U.    1326,  leaving  a  son,  aged  15. 

FULK  DE  PEMBRUGE  III.,  1333.  Lawsuit  against  him  by  his  mother 
Matilda  de  Bermingham  ;  Fulk  defeated. 

ROBERT  DE  PEMBRUGE  (brother  and  heir),  said  to  occur  1346-7,  occur* 

I351- 
FULK  DE  PEMBRUGE  IV.,  see  Tomb  12.      1371-1410. 

ELIZABETH  DE  PEMBRUGE,  Lady  of  Tong,  his  widow,  see  Tomb  12, 

SIR  RICHARD  VERNON,  Fulke's  nephew  and  successor,  see  Tomb  13. 

SIR  WILLIAM  VERNON,  his  son,  see  Tomb  14, 

SIR  HARRY  VERNON,  his  son,  see  Tomb  15. 

RICHARD  VERNON,  ESQ.,  his  son,  see  Tomb  17. 

SIR  GEORGE  VERNON,  his  son,  King  of  the  Peak,  owned  30  manors 
(buried  at  Bakewell,  near  Haddon  156;)". 

DOROTHY  &  MARGARET  VERNON, "his  daughters  and  co-heiresses. 
Dorothy  eloped  with  Sir  John  Manners,  upon  the  night  of  her  sister's 
marriage,  and  conveyed  Haddon  to  the  House  of  Rutland. 

MARGARET  married  HON.  SIR  THOMAS  STANLEY,  see  Tomb  19. 

SIR  EDWARD  STANLEY,  their  son,  succeeded,  and  died  in  1632.  He 
sold  Tong  to 

SIR  THOMAS  HARRIES,  Bart.,  Serjeant-at-Law.  See  referred  to  under 
Tombs  23  and  31. 

ANN  AND  ELIZABETH,  his  daughters  and  co-heiresses.  Ann  married 
John  Wylde,  Esq.,  and  died  1624,  aged  16,  see  Tomb  23.  Tong 
Castle  passed  to 

ELIZABETH,  who  married  THE  HON.  WILLIAM  PIEREPOINT  of 
Thoresby,  Notts.,  "  William  the  Wise,"  see  under  No.  31.  He  suc- 
ceeded, 1640;  was  described  as  "of  Tong  Castle."  He  died  1679, 
and  his  three  grandsons  became  successively  Earls  of  Kingston,  viz  : 
Robert,  died  1682,  William  1690,  and 

GERVASE,  LORD  PIERPOINT,  their  youngest  son,  gained  a  peerage,  see 
No.  24.  His  only  child.  Elizabeth  Pierpoint,  having  pre-deceased  him, 
see  under  No.  31,  Lord  Pierpoint  died  in  1715,  when  his  nephew, 

EVELYN,  5th  EARL  OF  KINGSTON,  created  1st  DUKE  OF  KINGSTON 
succeeded  as  Lord  of  Tong.  He  was  father  of  Lady  Mary  Wortley 
Montague  so  celebrated  in  the  literary  world.  His  son  William  died 
before  his  father   1713,  leaving  a  son, 

EVELYN,  last  DUKE  OF  KINGSTON,  owner  of  Tong  Castle,  and  had 
his  seat  there.  He  married  the  celebrated  Miss  Chudleigh,  but  left 
no  issue  and  on  his  death  in  1773  all  his  titles  became  extinct.  He, 
in  1760,  sold  Tong  to 

GEORGE  DURANT,  ESQ.,  of  a  Worcestershire  family,  who  amassed  a  large 
fortune  at  Havannah.  Reconstructed  the  Castle  as  now  to  be  seen. 
Sec  Tomb  30.     He  died  1780  aged  46. 

GEORGE  DURANT,  a  minor  at  his  father's  death.  He  had  issue  a  son 
' !  1  >rge  Stanton   Eld  Durant,  who  pre-deceased  him,  but  leaving  a  son, 

GfeORGE  CHARLES  SELWYN  DURANT.  who  sold  Tong  1855  to  the 
Earl  of  Bradiord. 


THE  EARL  OF  BRADFORD'S  FAMILY. 

GEORGE  A.  F.  H.  BRIDGEMAN,  EARL  OF 
BRADFORD,  2nd  Earl  of  the  1815  creation,  D.C.L.,  de- 
scended from  Sir  Orlando  Bridgeman,  Kt.  and  Bart.,  a  lawyer 
of  great  eminence,  and  Keeper  of  the  Great  Seal,  1667,  son  of 
the  Right  Rev.  John,  Bishop  of  Chester,  1619 — 1657,- — a  family, 
whose  seat  at  Weston  Park  has  passed  to  them  by  inheritance 
from  the  De  Weston s  (Knight  Templars)  of  Weston,  whose 
effigies  in  heart-of-oak  still  remain  in  the  chancel  of  Weston 
Church,  through  the  Newports,  Wilbrahams,  Myttons,  and 
Peshalls.  The  Earl  married  Georgina  Elizabeth  only 
daughter  of  Sir  Thomas  Moncreiffe  and  Lady  Elizabeth 
Ramsay. '   In  1865  the  Earl  died,  when  Tong  passed  to 

ORLANDO  GEORGE  CHARLES  BRIDGEMAN,  3rd 
EARL  OF  BRADFORD,  Viscount  Newport  and  Baron 
Bradford,  of  Bradford,  co.  Salop  ;  a  Baronet,  Privy  Councillor, 
Lord  Lieutenant  and  Custos  Rotulorum  of  Shropshire  ;  whose 
first  official  appointment  was  in  the  administration  of  the 
Earl  of  Derby ;  and  later  in  those  of  the  Earl  of  Beacons- 
field,  K.G.,  having  held  the  high  offices  of  Lord 
Chamberlain  (1866-8),  and  Master  of  the  Horse  to  Her 
Majesty  the  Queen  1874-80  and  again  in  1885-6.  He  repre- 
sented South  Shropshire  in  Parliament  twenty-three  years, 
until  his  accession  to  the  peerage.  Born  24th  April,  1819. 
Married  30th  April,  1844,  the  Hon.  Selina  Louisa  Weld 
Forester,  daughter  of  Cecil,  1st  Lord  Forester. 

The  COUNTESS  OF  BRADFORD  is  the  youngest 
daughter  of  Cecil,  first  Lord  Forester  (created  Baron 
Forester,  of  Willey  Park,  co.  Salop,  in  1821)  by  his  wife, 
Lady  Katherine  Manners,  daughter  of  Charles,  the  4th  Duke 
of  Rutland,  K.G.  Her  ladyship's  brothers,  George,  second 
Lord,  and  Cecil,  third  Lord  Forester,  died  without  issue, 
the  present  Lord  Forester  (Orlando  Watkin  Weld)  being  a 
Canon  of  York.  This  nobleman  has  an  hereditary  privilege, 
granted  by  Henry  VIII.,  of  wearing  his  hat  in  the  presence 


14  The  Earl  of  Bradford's  Family. 

of  the  Sovereign.  It  was  made  to  John  Forester,  of  Upton 
and  Easthope,  in  1520,  by  licence  "  to  use  and  were  his  bonet 
on  his  hede  at  all  tymes  and  in  all  places,  as  well  in  our 
presence  as  elsewhere."  The  name  of  Forester  is  derived 
from  Richard  Forestarius,  who  had  charge  of  the  King's 
Forest  of  Wellington  Hay  in  Shropshire,  in  the  reign  of 
Henry  III. — an  appointment  of  trust  conferred  by  the  King 
when  penalties  of  death  were  frequently  inflicted  upon  persons 
guilty  of  breach  of  the  Forest  Laws.  A  younger  brother  of 
the  Countess  of  Bradford  is  the  Hon.  Henry  Townshend 
Forester  (b.  19  Jan.,  1821),  the  well-known  patron  of  the  turf. 
Lady  Bradford's  sisters  were : — The  Hon.  Anne  Elizabeth, 
who  became  Countess  of  Chesterfield  ;  the  Hon.  Elizabeth 
Katherine,  married  Hon.  Robert  John  Smith,  afterwards  2nd 
Baron  Carrington ;  the  Hon.  Isabella  Elizabeth  Annabella, 
married  Gen.  the  Hon.  Geo.  Anson,  and  died  leaving  three 
daughters,  Countess  Howe,  Hon.  Mrs.  George  Fitzwilliam, 
and  the  Marchioness  of  Bristol ;  and  the  Hon.  Henrietta 
Maria,  who  married  Lord  Albert  Conyngham,  created  Baron 
Londesborough.  The  Forester  arms  are  argent,  a  bugle  horn 
sable,  garnished  with  gold,  a  token  of  their  office.  Some 
further  account  of  the  Forester  Family  who  were  owners  of 
part  of  Tong  Parish  will  be  given  later. 

The  Earl's  eldest  son,  GEORGE  CECIL  ORLANDO, 
VISCOUNT  NEWPORT,  born  Feb.  3rd,  1845,  represented 
North  Shropshire  in  the  House  of  Commons  from  1867  to  1885, 
and  is  known  as  a  fluent  and  graceful  speaker,  and  one  of  the 
best  shots  in  England.  He  lives  at  Castle  Bromwich.  His 
lordship's  Silver  Wedding  day  is  in  1894,  ne  having  married 
on  Sept.  7,  1869,  Lady  Ida  Frances  Annabella  Lumley,  second 
daughter  of  Richard  George,  9th  Earl  of  Scarbrough,  by  his 
wife  Frederica  Mary.Adeliza  Drummond ;  Lady  Newport's 
brothers  and  sisters  being  the  present  Earl  of  Scarbrough, 
Lady  Algitha,  wife  of  Hon.  Wm.  Orde  Powlett,  heir  to  Lord 


The  Earl  of  Bradford's  Family.  15 

Bolton  ;  the  Marchioness  of  Zetland,  Countess  Grosvenor,  and 
the  Hon.  Osbert  Lumley.  Lord  Newport  has  issue:  Sons — 
the  Hon.  Orlando  (b.  6  Oct.  1873),  Hon.  Richard  Orlando 
Beaconsfield,  (b.  1879,  god-son  to  Benjamin  Disraeli,  Earl  of 
Beaconsfield),  and  Hon.  Henry  Geo.  Orlando  (b.  1882); 
daughters— the  Hon.  Beatrice  Adine  (b.  1870),  the  Hon. 
Margaret  Alice  (b.  1872,  now  Countess  of  Dalkeith),  Hon. 
Helena  Mary  (b.  1875,  god-daughter  of  H.R.H.  Princes* 
Christian),  Hon.  Florence  Sibell  (b.  1877).  The  Hon.  Orlando 
Bridgeman  made  a  voyage  round  the  world  in  1893,  and  all 
will  welcome  the  attainment  of  his  majority  this  year  ;  while 
the  Hon.  Richard  is  a  Naval  Cadet.  The  Hon.  Margaret 
married  January  30,  1893,  Jonn  Charles,  Earl  of  Dalkeith,  son 
and  heir  to  the  Duke  of  Buccleuch,  and  has  issue  Margaret 
Ida,  born  Nov.  13,  1893.  Lord  Newport  accompanied  the 
Duke  of  Abercorn  on  his  Special  Mission  from  Her  Majesty 
to  the  King  of  Italy,  in  1878. 

The  Earl's  younger  son,  the  HON.  FRANCIS  CHARLES 
BRIDGEMAN,  born  4th  July,  1846,  is  a  retired  Lieutenant 
Colonel  of  the  Scots  Guards,  was  engaged  in  the  Soudan 
War,  and  is  M.P.  for  Bolton.  He  married  26th  July,  1883, 
Gertrude  Cecilia,  eldest  daughter  of  George  Hanbury,  Esq., 
of  Blythwood,  and  has  issue  Reginald  Francis  Orlando  (b. 
1884),  Francis  Paul  Orlando,  Humphrey  Herbert  Orlando, 
and  Selina  Adine.  He  resides  at  Neachley.  He  accompanied 
the  Earl  of  Rosslyn's  Special  Mission  to  the  King  of  Spain. 

The  Earl's  elder  daughter,  LADY  MABEL  SELINA, 
married  Lieut.  Col.  William  Slaney  KENYON-SLANEY, 
M.P.  for  the  Newport  Division  of  Shropshire,  of  Hatton 
Grange,  Salop,  and  has  issue  Sybil  (b.  1888),  and  Robert 
Orlando  Rodolph  (b.  Jan.  13,  1892). 

The  younger  daughter,  LADY  FLORENCE  KATH- 
ERINE,  married  in  1881  Henry  Viscount  Lascelles,  and  is 
now  Countess  of  Harewood,  having  issue  a  son,  Henry 
Viscount  Lascelles  (b.  1882),  Lady  Margaret  Selina  (b.  1883), 
and  Hon.  Edward  Cecil  (b.  1887). 


THE   BRIDGEMAN   FAMILY. 

ORLANDO,  ist  Earl  of  Bradford  (who  succeeded  as 
second  Baron  Bradford,  and  was  created  an  earl  in  1815), 
married  Lucy  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  George,  fourth  Viscount 
Torrington,  and  Lady  Lucy  Boyle,  daughter  of  John,  Earl  of 
Cork  and  Orrery,  an  old  Irish  family.  Orlando's  father,  Sir 
Henry  Bridgeman,  Bart.,  was  created  first  Baron  Bradford  in 
1794.  He  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  and  heiress  of  the  Rev. 
John  Simpson,  of  Stoke  Hall,  County  Derby,  and  her  second 
son,  John  Bridgeman,  married  Henrietta  (only  daughter  of 
Sir  Thomas  Worsley,  Bart.),  a  great  heiress,  who  took  the 
name  of  Simpson,  and  thus  founded  the  Bridgeman-Simpson 
family.  A  delightful  miniature  of  this  lady,  Miss  Worsley,  is 
in  the  possession  of  Lady  Bradford,  and  called  "  The  Heiress 
of  Appuldercombe." 

Sir  Henry  Bridgeman  was  the  eldest  son  of  Sir  Orlando 
Bridgeman  (of  Castle  Bromwich  and  Blodwell,  Bart.) 
and  Lady  Anne  Newport.  She  was  a  sister  of  the  three  last 
Earls  of  Bradford,  of  the  Newport  family,  which  title  became 
extinct  on  the  death  of  Thomas,  fifth  Earl  of  Bradford,  in 
1762. 

The  Newport  estates  held  by  Henry  Newport,  third  Earl 
of  Bradford,  Lady  Anne's  eldest  brother,  who  died  with- 
out issue,  were  of  enormous  extent,  but  were  alienated  by  him 
from  the  family  very  largely.  Lady  Anne's  sister,  Diana, 
Countess  of  Mountrath,  succeeded  to  a  great  part  of  the 
London  property,  including  the  Park  of  Isleworth,  called  the 
New  Park  of  Richmond,  and  also  Twickenham  Park,  with 
the  mansion-house  therein.  This  lady  bequeathed  all  her 
cattle%  sheep,  and  horses,  corn,  grain,  hay,  wine,  ale,  and  all 
liquors  and  stores  in  her  house  to  Lucy,  Duchess  of  Montrose* 
Her  other  properties  included  Walsall,  Tamehorn,  Manors  of 
Newton,  Bobbington,  &c,  some  of  which  happily  reverted  to 
the  descendants  of  her  sister,  Lady  Anna  Bridgeman. 


The  Bridgeman  Family.  17 

Sir  Orlando  Bridgeman  was  the  son  of  Sir  John  Bridgeman, 
third  Baronet,  and  Ursula,  daughter  and  sole  heiress  of 
Roger  Matthews,  Esq.,  of  Blodwell  Hall,  Salop,  a  descendant 
of  the  Princes  of  Powys  and  Wales.  Roger  was  the  son  of 
John  Matthews,  Esq.,  of  Court,  and  Jane,  elder  daughter  and 
co-heir  of  Morris  Tanat,  of  Blodwell,  County  Salop. 
These  Tanats,  of  Blodwell,  were  seated  at  Abertanat,  and 
took  their  name  from  the  sparkling  river  Tanat,  a  famous 
trout  stream.  A  part  of  the  picturesque  Tanat  Valley 
in  the  Marches  of  Wales,  forms  a  portion  of  Lord  Bradford's 
ancestral  estate. 

Morris  Tanat  was  descended  from  "  Einion-Efell,"  who 
resided  at  Llwynymaen,  near  Oswestry,  Salop,  and  was  Lord 
of  Cynllaeth,  who  died  in  1196.  He  was  second  son  of 
Madoc-ap-Meredith,  Prince  of  Powys,  son  and  heir  of 
Meredith-ap-Bleddyn,  Prince  of  Powys,  1132.  He  was  son 
and  successor  of  Bleddyn-ap-Cynfyn  and  Haer,  daughter  of 
Cilin-apy-Blaidd  Rhud,  surnamed  "  The  Wolf."  Bleddyn- 
ap-Cynfyn,  Prince  of  Powys,  by  inheritance,  and  Prince  of 
North  Wales  and  South  Wales  by  usurpation,  was  fourth  in 
descent  from  Mervyn,  King  of  Powys,  third  son  of  Rhodri 
Mawr  (or  the  Great),  King  of  Wales,  a.d,,  843,  and  died  847. 

Reverting  to  the  family  of  Bridgeman,  and  tracing  it  a  little 
further  it  will  be  seen  that  Sir  John,  second  Baronet  (who 
bought  the  Castle  Bromwich  estate),  was  son  of  Sir  Orlando 
Bridgeman,  Bart.,  and  Judith  Kynaston,  daughter  and  heiress 
of  John  Kynaston,  Esq.,  also  descended  from  the  great  King  of 
Wales.  The  Kynastons,  an  ancient  Shropshire  family,  trace 
back  through  Humphrey  Kynaston  "The  Wild"  (1534), 
through  Griffith  (of  Cae  Howell  and  Kynaston,  Salop),  to 
Jorwerth  Goch,  surnamed  "  The  Red,"  son  of  Meredydd-ap- 
Bleddyn,  Prince  of  Powys.  It  is  curious  that  the  Newport 
family  also  trace  through  a  female  co-heiress  back  to 
Meredydd-ap-Bleddyn. 


T8  The  Bridgeman  Family. 

Thomas  Newport,  Esq.,  ancestor  of  the  Earls  of 
Bradford,  married  Elizabeth,  one  of  the  co-heiresses  of  Sir 
John  de  Burgh,  Knight  of  Mawddy,  son  of  Elizabeth, 
daughter  of  John,  Lord  of  Mawddy,  son  of  William-ap- 
Grifnth,  son  of  Griffith-ap-Wenwynwyn,  son  of  Gwenwynwyn, 
Prince  of  Powys-wenwynwyn  (17  Ed.  I.)  by  Margaret, 
daughter  of  Rhys,  Prince  of  South  Wales. 

Gwenwynwyn  was  grandson  of  Griffith-ap-Meredith,  son 
.0/  Meredith-ap-Bleddyn,  Prince  of  Powys.  Another  sister  of 
Elizabeth,  viz.,  Eleanor,  married  Thos.  Mytton,  Esq.,  M.P., 
an  ancestor  of  the  Myttons,  of  Weston-under-Lizard,  whose 
heiress  is  a  direct  ancestress  of  the  present  owner  of  Weston. 

'  Sir  Orlando  Bridgeman,  the  lawyer  of  great  eminence, 
was  successively  Lord  Chief  Baron  of  the  Exchequer, 
Lord  Chief  Justice  of  the  Common  Pleas,  and  Lord 
Keeper  of  the  Great  Seal.  His  father,  Dr.  John  Bridgeman, 
chaplain  to  King  James  I.,  was,  after  filling  many  Church 
offices,  translated  to  the  See  of  Chester,  1619,  but  was  driven 
to  take  refuge  with  his  son,  Sir  Orlando,  at  Morton  Hall,  and 

:  died  there,  the  ancestral  home  of  his  daughter-in-law,  Judith 
Kynaston,  in  1652.     During  the  troublous  times  of  the  Civil 

,  War,  Clarendon  tells  how  "the  City  of  Chester  remained  true 
to  his  Majesty,  influenced  thereto  by  the  credit  and  example 
of  Bishop  John  Bridgeman,  and  the  reputation  and  dexterity 
of  his  son  Orlando,  a  lawyer  of  very  good  estimation."  Sir 
Orlando's  charge  to  the  jury  at  the  trial  of  the  regicides  was 
highly  extolled — indeed,  as  Chief  Justice  of  the  Common 
Pleas  his  reputation  was  at  its  zenith,  and  "  his  moderation 
and  equity  were  such  that  he  seemed  to  carry  a  chancery  in 
his  breast." 


^^T^s^r 


EARLY     CLERGY,     &c. 

1188-1194     ERNULF    .....     Chaplain,  had  the  Parsonage. 
1315-1220     ROBERT  DE  SHIREFORD,  Parson. 

1255     WILLIAM Parson  of  Tong:  he  impleaded 

a  layman  as  he  did  not  supply  boots  (?)  to  his  wish.     Church 

of  Tong  valued  at  ^4. 

1410  Church  built  and  College  founded  :  Wm.  Shaw  or  Wm.  Mosse, 

Warden. 

141 1  WALTER  SWAN,  Minister. 

1416  KING  HENRY  V.  gave  the  revenues  of  Lapley  town,  manor 
and  grange,  to  the  College  of  Tong,  provided  Lapley  Vicarage 
be  sufficiently  endowed,  and  a  competent  sum  allowed  to 
the  poor  there. 

1454     SIR  RICHARD  EITON,  Priest ;  Warden  of  the  College. 

1470  MASTER  JOHN  LYE,  Warden  of  Tong,  made  vicar  of 
Idsall.     Died,  1515. 

1510     RALPH  ELCOCK  died  ;  cellarer  and  co-brother. 

1518     SIR  ARTHUR   VERNON,  Priest  ;   Warden  of  the  College. 

1526  THOMAS  FORSTER,  died;  sometime  Warden  of  Tongue 
and  Vicar  of  Idsall.  See  curious  monument  at  Shifnal 
Church. 

1535     College  valued  at  ^22  8s.  id.  a  year. 

1546  College  sold  for  /200  to  J.  WOOLRICH. 

1547  Deed  of  Sale  signed  by  K.  EDWARD  VI. 
1616    Register  dates  from. 

1639  GEO.  MEESON,  Clerk  of  Tong. 

164 1  WILLIAM   SOUTH  ALL,  Rector. 

1658  ROBERT   HILTON,  Minister. 

1676  RICHARD   WARDE,  Minister. 

1678  WM.   COTTON,  Curate. 

1688  L.  PEITIER  appointed  Minister.     Died,  1745. 

1694  JOHN    HULTER,  Curate  of  Tong,  buried. 

1765  S.  HALL  died-.     35  years  Assistant  Curate. 

1777  THOS.   BUCKERIDGE,  Minister  of  Tong. 

1785  THOS.   LAWRENCE.  Curate  of  Tong. 

1791  CHAS-.  BUCKERIDGE.   D.D. 

1806  W.   H.  MOLINEUX,  Perpetual  Curate  of  Tong. 

1807  JOHN    FLETCHER  MUCKLESTON,  M.A.,  afterwards  D.D. 
1835  THOS.  HALL,   Curate. 

1839    LEONARD   HENRY  St.  GEORGE, 
1843     GEO.    SHIPTON    HARDING. 
1855    JOHN   WINGFIELD  HARDING. 
1870    RICHARD   GWYNNE   LAWRENCE. 
I876    CHARLES  T.  WILSON. 

1882    GEO.   CLENELL  RIVETT-CARNAC  who  married  a  grand- 
daughter of  the  poet  Crabbe. 
1890    JOHN    HENRY    COURTNEY   CLARKE  present  vicar,  late 

Major   of  the  Royal    Fusiliers.      Churchwardens :    THOS. 

MIliNER,    jun,   and   G.     F.    NORTON.      Lectors 

HON.  F.  C.  BlilDGEMAN,  M  P.,  and  MR.  H.   K  SMI  I  H. 

Gterk  .  GEO.  BODEN.     Schoolmaster  ,  THOtf.  GREEN  LR. 


TONG    CHURCH. 


HE  present  stately  edifice  which  forms  so 
pleasing  a  feature  in  the  village  and  lands- 
cape, is  one  of  few  in  the  country  that  re- 
main to  us  without  bearing  traces  of  that 
destruction  which  is  the  natural  outcome 
of  opposing  forces  of  men  ;  and  it  is  re- 
markable, looking  back  upon  the  struggles 
of  500  years,  to  think  there  should  be 
found  in  a  country  village  so  fine  a  specimen  of  Gothic 
architecture  in  practically  as  good  (i.e.  unrestored)  state  now 
as  at  the  time  of  its  erection  ;  and  this  applies  almost  as  well 
to  the  interior  as  the  exterior.  The  present  building,  worthily 
described  as  a  venerable  pile,  is  a  pure  and  beautiful  example 
of  the  Early  Perpendicular. 

There  seems  to  be  no  doubt  that  Earl  Roger  de  Montgomery, 
the  great  Earl  (and  "  a  very  prudent  and  moderate  man,"  as  an 
old  chronicle  describes  him),  founded  a  church  here  in  the  reign 
of  William  the  Conqueror,  within  8  years  of  Domesday.  It  is 
not  clear  whether  his  work  was  carried  on  or  added  to  by  his 
second  son  and  successor,  Earl  Hugh,  or  whether  the  great 
bishop  and  statesman,  Richard  de  Belmeis  I.,  Bishop  of  London, 
who  had  a  grant  of  Tong  a  little  later,  and  spent  all  his  resources 
in  beautifying  and  improving  St.  Paul's  Cathedral  and  the 
Clerkenwell  Priory,  had  any  part  in  completing  the  church  ; 
but  in  the  present  building  there  are  traces  of  work  which  are 


HThe  Stanley  tomb 
Tong 


EM-K. 


Foundation  of  Tong  Church.  zr 

referred,  on  good  authority,  to  a  date  at  least  a  century  earlier 
than  that  of  the  general  fabric  as  it  now  stands. 

To  the  pious  benevolence  of  a  lady,  a  widow,  we  are  indebted 
for  this  rich  and  valuable  example  of  Gothic  architecture  ; 
rich  on  account  of  the  undisturbed  condition  of  its  component 
parts,  thus  enabling  us  to  see  the  church  in  practically  the 
same  condition  as  that  in  which  it  was  left  by  the  monkish 
designer,  and  valuable  in  affording  the  student  sufficient  con- 
current details  of  the  work  for  his  instruction  and  guidance, 
with  the  view  to  their  imitation  elsewhere ;  thus  it  must 
awaken  a  more  than  ordinary  interest  in  the  casual  visitor.  Irr 
short,  Tong  Church  is  a  building  of  national  interest,  and 
contains  monuments  rarely  to  be  found  in  edifices  of  the  like 
proportions. 

Elizabeth,  widow  of  Sir  Fulke  de  Pembruge,  Knight,  with 
two  clerks,  had  in  the  12th  year  of  King  Henry  IV.,  141 1,  his 
license  to  acquire  of  the  Abbot  and  Convent  of  Shrewsbury 
the  advowson  and  patronage  of  the  Church  of  St.  Bartholomew 
the  Apostle,  at  Tonge  in  Shropshire,  reserving  to  the  Abbot 
and  Convent  an  annual  pension  they  were  used  to  receive  of 
6s.  8d.  to  convert  the  said  Church  into  a  perpetual  college, 
with  warden,  chaplains,  &c. ;  the  amount  paid  by  Elizabeth 
being  ^"50,  a  large  sum  of  money  in  those  days."' 

The  College  stood  south  of  the  Church,  and  seems  to  have 
occupied  four  sides  of  a  square.  It  must  have  covered  a  good 
deal  of  ground,  judging  by  the  twenty  or  more  people  who 
lived  in  it,  besides  the  accommodation  for  the  children  who 
were  to  be  taught  there.  (See  account  later  of  Tong  College 
and  its  rules  and  regulations.) 

The  Church  thus  made  over  to  the  widow  of  the  Lord  of 
Tong  was  made  Collegiate,  and  by  her  dedicated,    as  some 

-»Mr.  Cox  gives  the  amount  £40,  paid  into  the  Hanaper,  i.e.,  the  Kins;--  Bxchaduer. 
The  Hanaper  was  a  kind  of  basket  used  in  early  days  by  the  Kings  of  England  fix  holding 
and  carrying  the  money  as  they  journeyed  from  place  to  place. 


22  Church — Architectural  Features. 

accounts  say,  "  to  the  worship  and  glory  of  God  and  in  memory 
of  her  husband."  Built  of  a  durable  local  stone,  evincing  little 
or  no  decay,  it  consists  as  the  plan  shews  of  chancel 
and  choir,  nave,  north  and  south  aisles,  vestry  and  porch. 
The  Golden  Chapel  adjoining  the  south  transept  was  added  a 
century  later,  and  is  the  only  part  of  the  building  which  dates 
subsequent  to  the  time  of  Dame  Elizabeth.  In  the  centre, 
supported  upon  four  lofty  pointed  arches,  rises  a  curious 
steeple,  which  above  the  roof  is  square,  and  contains  in  the 
lower  story  the  Great  Bell  of  Tong.  Upon  this  springs  an. 
octagon,  forming  the  upper  bell-story,  containing  the  peal  of 
bells,  the  whole  finished  with  an  elegant  spire. 

In  a  report  to  the  Archceological  Journal  of  1845,  the  following 
remarks  by  Mr.  Petit  occur,  and  will  best  complete  the  descrip- 
tion of  the  edifice  : — 

"  The  building  affords  a  striking  instance  how  completely 
the  mediaeval  architect  felt  the  importance  of  scale  as  well  as 
proportion.  In  a  large  church  the  simplicity  of  detail  in  this 
church  would  have  given  an  unpleasing  degree  of  plainness. 
In  a  larger  church  much  that  is  now  excellent  would  have 
been  meagre  and  minute.  The  flattened  roof  is  here  a  decided 
beauty,  as  it  not  only  gives  effect  to  the  embattled  parapet 
and  pinnacles  (which,  when  the  finials  were  complete,  must 
have  been  very  beautiful),  but  to  the  steeple  itself ;  and  had 
this  steeple  been  of  more  tapering  form,  the  range  of  spire 
lights,  which  are  perhaps  nearly  unique,  would  have  been  out 
of  place. 

*'The  building  is  essentially  a  cross-church,  yet  it  neither 
developes  the  form  of  a  cross  in  its  ground  plan,  nor  indicates 
it,  as  it  might  have  done,  by  transepts  distinguished  from  the 
aisles.      Such  examples  are  far  from  common. 

"The  following  discrepancies  are  remarkable  in  a  building 
which  exhibits  so  much  uniformity  in  design  and  carefulness 
in  execution  : — 


Church— Architectural'  Features.  23 

u  Difference  in  north  and  south  ranges  of  arches  in  the  nave. 

"  Mouldings  at  base  of  piers  differ,  though  the  capitals  are 
nearly  alike. 

11  External  divisions  do  not  correspond  with  internal  ones, 
for  the  parapet  along  nave  is  divided  by  the  pinnacles  into  two 
equal  parts,  whereas  the  interior  has  three  arches  between 
west  wall  and  west  pier  of  tower. 

"  Width  of  the  two  aisles  differs  a  few  inches  ;  and  the  east 
window  dpes  not  stand  in  the  exact  centre  of  the  front. 

'  -'The  base  of  the  tower  is  not  exactly  square,  nor  is  the 
octagon  equal-sided;  the  equilateral  spire  is  more  nearly,  if 
not  altogether  so,  which  renders  necessary  a  peculiar  con- 
struction at  its  junction  with  the  octagon. "  This  is  illustrated 
in  the  Archaeological  Journal. 

The  following  interesting  note  upon  Tong  Church  occurs 
in  Mrs.  Halliday's  work  on  the  Porlock  Effigies. 

"This  is  no  church  of  the  common  order,  but  a  theme  for 
the  painter  and  poet.  Situated  in  a  slightly  undulating  and 
beautifully  wooded  country,  it  is  on  the  whole  a  building 
which  embodies  more  of  the  true  mediaeval  feeling  than 
perhaps  any  other  we  still  possess.  Besides  many  features  of 
interest,  such  as  the  Vernon  Chapel,  with  its  beautiful  fan- 
traceried  vaulting,  the  abbatial-looking  stalls,  with  their 
richly-sculptured  poppyheads  and  western  return  ends,  and 
several  highly-wrought  screens,  it  contains  no  less  than  seven 
elaborate  altar-tombs,  forming,  along  with  the  surrounding 
architecture,  such  picturesque  groups  as  true  artists  like 
Louis  Haghe  or  David  Roberts  would  have  delighted  in. 
Thanks,  as  I  am  informed,  to  the  protecting  arm  of  the  Earl 
of  Bradford,  it  has  been  shielded  from  the  destroying  inroads 
of  the  dilettante  'restorer,'  the  interested  4  architect,'  and  the 
cheap  contractor." 


24  Tong  Church. 

THE    RESTORATION. 

ITH  regard  to  the  Restoration  of  the  Church 
in  1892,  it  must  surely  be  a  great  satisfac- 
tion to  know  that  no  old  features  have  dis- 
appeared nor  old  arrangements  been  ex- 
extinguished,  but  that  the  work,  under  the 
direction  of  the  eminent  architect,  Mr.  Christian,  has  been 
done  thoroughly  and  well,  and  in  a  true  conservative  spirit. 
The  cost,  about  ^5,000,  has  been  chiefly  borne  by  the  Earl  of 
Bradford,  the  patron.  The  Vicar,  the  Rev.  J.  H.  Courtney 
Clarke,  Mrs.  Hartley  and  her  friends,  the  Churchwardens, 
and  the  parishioners  all  must  share  in  the  ctedit  which 
is  due  for  collecting  the  monies  to  commence  this 
great  undertaking,  and  one  which  the  Committee  found 
was  too  great  for  their  resources.  This  mediaeval  fabric, 
substantially  u  a  gem  of  the  middle  ages,"  is  again 
made  good,  and  the  ravages  of  time  are  stopped  ;  and  patron, 
priest,  and  people  are  to  be  congratulated  upon  the  achieve- 
ment of  a  noble  duty,  and  one  which  hands  on  to  posterity  a 
monument  alike  of  the  Foundress's  bounty,  of  the  Ecclesiastic's 
devotion  to  art  and  religion,  and  of  the  present  patron's 
munificence.  The  performance  of  such  a  work  earns  our 
present  gratitude,  it  multiplies  our  inherent  veneration,  and 
lovingly  consecrates  the  edifice  anew  to  the  holy  offices  of 
successive  generations. 

Traces  of  one  tiny  patch  of  ancient  mural  painting  too  in- 
distinct to  be  of  any  value  whatever,  were  found  on  the  wall 
of  the  nave,  when  cleaning  the  wjIIs  of  the  ugly  colour  which 
hitherto  had  disfigured  them. 

A  few  modern  pews  which  marred  the  appearance  of  the 
old  oak  benches  have  been  removed,  and  the  latter  with  their 
traceried  panels  refixed  in  a  little  more  convenient  manner.  . 


The  Restoration.  '  25 

The  flooring  is  entirely  new,  and  the  gradual  rise  of  the 
level  of  it  from  the  West  end  to  the  East,  which  was  so 
marked  and  uncommon,  has  been  adhered  to. 

The  various  discoveries  in  the  Golden  Chapel  and  elsewhere 
will  be  found  noted  in  their  places  under  the  headings, 

A  valuable  old  book  of  Homilies  was  found  by  the  Vicar, 
and  also  a  note  that  the  Royal  Arms  in  the  North  Wall  cost 
over  ;£6o.  The  workmen  also  found  two  old  silver  coins,  one 
of  Queen  Elizabeth's  reign,  during  the  restoration. 

The  builder  and  contractor  for  the  general  work  of  Restora. 
tion  in  1892  was  Mr.  William  Bowdler,  of  Shrewsbury,  who 
also  undertook  the  carving  and  restoration  of  the  choir 
stalls  and  screens,  with  a  success  most  visible.  Mr.  Robert 
Brid^eman,  of  Lichfield,  has  re-erected  the  "  Sianley  "  tomb, 
and  done  other  work  to  the  altar-tombs.  The  mediaeval 
stained  glass  which  was  all  scattered  about  in  a  fragmentary 
way  in  various  windows,  has  been  collected  and  re-arranged 
by  Messrs.  Pepper  &  Boyd,  of  London. 

The  Restoration  has  consisted  of  a  thorough  renewal  of  the 
roofs,  the  old  lead  having  been  re-cast,  and  new  oak  timbers 
put  in  where  needed,  preserving  all  old  carvings  ;  the  Tower 
stone-work  partly  rebuilt,  the  walls  entirely  cleaned  inside 
and  repaired,  as  also  the  damaged  tracery  of  the  West 
window,  which  was  long  an  eye-sore,  and  caused  many 
anxieties  to  visitors.  A  tew  missing  pinnacles  have  been 
supplied,  and  the  parapets,  vane,  and  clock  repaired. 

Numerous  other  works  have  been  done,  and  include  heat- 
ing, with  new  chamber  near  the  ruins  of  the  ancient  Alms- 
house, the  general  reflooring,  reglazing,  new  ceiling  to  tower, 
&c,  &c,  and  at  the  close  of  the  work,  it  was  a  matter  of  con- 
gratulation to  be  able  to  announce  that  a  piece  of  land  had 
been  given  by  Lord  Bradford  to  enlarge  the  burial  ground. 


IS"  Visitors  are  advised  to  enter  by  the  Porch  and  South 
door,  the  proper  entrance,  and  to  make  the  circuit  of  the 
building  in  the  order  given. 


'ORCH.  Ancient  stone  seats  on  either  side.  Fine 
old  oak  ceiling  with  well-carved  bosses,  pediment, 
and  shields  for  arms. 


1.  Door  with  considerable  mouldings.  A  two-light  window 
on  either  side,  neither  of  which  Mr.  Christian  thinks  has 
ever  been  glazed  ;  old  saddle-bars. 

2.  SOUTH  DOOR  of  Church  exhibits  some  mouldings. 
Over  it  is  a  recessed  niche  for  a  statuette  of  the  patron  saint. 

SOUTH  AISLE.  Probably  the  pillars  carrying  the  arches 
forming  the  arcade  between  aisle  and  nave  are  older  than  any 
other  part  of  the  church.  Notice  dog-tooth  ornament  on  cap 
of  pillar  3,  and  the  labels  of  the  arches  at  4  and  5.  These 
features,  Mr.  Petit  says,  in  his  report  to  the  Archaeological 
Journal,  may  be  referred  to  the  13th  century  (i.e.,  prior  to 
1300),  and  he  suspects  that  the  present  south  aisle  originally 
formed  the  nave  of  the  earlier  church  founded  by  Earl  Roger 
de  Montgomery,  as  the  south  side  of  the  pillars  is  more  orna- 
mented than  the  north,  which  perhaps  faced  the  north  aisle 
of  the  older  edifice.  Oak  roof  with  carving.  Tracery  in 
windows. 

Generally,  notice  the  OLD  OAK  SEATS  and  panelling  of 
same  with  tracery  ;  most   of  them  remain    in   their   proper 


3&S&S ,  ,,/ggp* 


r^  \^; 


3* 


Seal  dl  the 
L»a.dy  foundress 


Nave,  Font,  &c.  37 

positions,  but  were  rearranged  in  1892,  when  modern  seats 
were  removed.  The  tile  flooring-  is  entirely  new,  but  a  tiled 
floor  of  much  older  date  was  discovered  in  the  north  aisle  when 
erecting  the  new  organ  a  few  years  ago.  Tong  once  possessed 
a  beautiful  Gothic  organ,  described  later  under  "Organ." 

6.  NAVE.  Take  a  general  view  of  the  interior  from  this 
spot.  Notice  old  oak  roof,  with  carved  bosses  at  the  inter- 
sections. The  ranges  of  arches  on  the  right  and  left  are 
dissimilar,  a  common  occurrence  in  mediaeval  work. 

7.  WEST  DOORWAY,  formerly  closed,  but  re-opened 
in  1892.  There  was  found  concealed  by  plaster  a  very  old 
rough  boarding  in  this  doorway,  and  in  it  a  very  small  door, 
4ft.  6in.  high,  with  double  ogee  head  and  rude  hinges,  and 
above  it,  WEST  WINDOW.  It  has  five  lights,  enriched  in 
the  upper  part  with  debased  Perpendicular  tracery,  and  retains 
fragments  of  old  stained  glass.  Subject  "  We  praise  Thee, 
OGod." 

8.  FONT.  Old  octagonal  one  of  simple  design,  but  good 
workmanship  ;  each  face  exposed  has  a  trefoiled  arch  corres- 
ponding with  the  sedilia  arches,  and  a  shield.  A  hinge  and 
catch  still  remain,  probably  appertaining  to  the  old  cover. 
The  Font  is  made  a  little  more  accessible,  but  remains  in  the 
same  position  as  usual,  viz.  :  against  the  north-west  pillar. 
There  is  a  step  for  the  priest,  and  one  for  the  sponsor  handing 
up  the  child. 

NORTH  AISLE,  oak  roof,  carved ;  old  oak  seats.  Tra- 
cery in  windows. 

A  slab  found  in  1892  beneath  the  floor  of  the  north  aisle 
bears  "  Here  lieth  the  body  of  Thomas  Poole,  who  departed 
this  life  Oct.  the  21st  ano.,  1739,  aged  51  years."  Another 
slab  found  near  the  west  door  bears  "  Here  lieth  the  body  of 
Walter  Clay,  son  of  Walter  and  Margaret  Clay,  who  departed 
this  life  April  ye     ....      1735,  aged  18  years." 


28  Old  Slab,  Screens,  &c. 

There  has  also  been  found  during  the  restoration  in  1892 
an  interesting  incised  slab  representing,  I  believe,  a  priest, 
having  on  his  arm  the  maniple,  and  a  dog  at  foot.  Some 
large  letters 

LE  WARDE  .  .  .  ERC  ...  J 
are  upon  it  in  very  old  character,  which  may  allude  to  a 
Warden  of  Tong  College.  Various  dates  have  been  assigned 
to  this  slab,  viz.,  8th,  9th,  or  12th  century.  It  is  now  fixed 
in  the  floor  of  north  transept,  where  antiquaries  may  view, 
and  perhaps  enlighten  us  upon  it. 

9.  NORTH  DOORWAY,  now  closed,  and  in  it  notice 
the  fragment  of  an  old  tomb  now  destroyed,  comprising  a 
shield  of  alabaster,  with  angels  supporting  it,  and  at  the  side 
some  architectural  features,  twisted  column,  &c,  of  stone. 
The  length  of  fingers  and  other  characteristics  have  led  some 
visitors  to  give  an  opinion  that  this  is  the  oldest  piece  of 
sculpture  in  the  Church.  A  somewhat,  but  not  exactly 
similar  fragment  is  to  be  seen  at  east  end  of  No.  12  tomb. 

10a  &  b.  WOOD  SCREENS  in  north  and  south  aisles 
dividing  them  so  as  to  form  Chapels  in  which  particular  ser- 
vices were  said  by  the  Roman  Catholics.  These  screens  are 
in  the  form  of  the  letter  L  (see  plan)  and  are  "  of  very  rich 
workmanship,  with  the  colours  well  preserved,  and  only 
mellowed  and  toned  down  by  time,"  Mr.  Petit  says.  The 
north  aisle  screen  10a  is  ornamented  only  on  the  side  facing 
the  west,  and  was  a  good  deal  damaged,  but  repaired  in  1892. 
It  consists  of  a  central  arched  opening  over  the  path  of  the 
aisle,  and  on  each  side  of  it  running  north  and  south  are  three 
open  traced  divisions  (time  of  Henry  VII.),  the  piece  returned 
to  the  pillar  of  tower  consisting  also  of  three  divisions ;  the 
lower  part  of  screen  being  of  traced  panelling,  corresponding 
with  the  tracery  above  :  the  crenulated  cornice  has  carved 
foliage,  and  a  cresting  of  Tudor  character. 


Screens — Effigies.  zg 

10b.  The  south  aisle  screen,  the  richer  of  the  two,  has  four 
openings  on  either  side  of  the  central  one,  and  three  returned 
to  the  pillar,  all  of  delicate  tracery.  (Transitional ;  about 
1400).  On  the  side  of  it  facing  the  west  wall  is  a  cornice 
(acorns  and  foliage),  and  below  it  is  a  carved  string-course  of 
laurel ;  on  the  other  side  the  vine.  John  Babyn  is  carved  in 
letters  4m.  long  upon  the  transom  of  this  screen,  in  Tudor 
character.  A  step  is  observable  from  the  aisle  into  the  south 
chapel,  but  not  in  the  north  one. 

11.     DOORWAY  TO  BELFRY. 

The  next  object  of  interest  is  the  oldest  altar  tomb,  and 
before  describing  it  in  detail  it  will  be  well  to  note  that  the 
effigies  herein  described  belong  to  a  period  of  continuous  war- 
fare, when  the  custom  of  wearing  complete  armour  necessitated 
the  use  of  heraldic  devices  ;  therefore  a  little  note  or  word 
has  been  occasionally  inserted,  to  explain  certain  objects 
which  at  the  time  of  the  erection  of  the  monuments  had  a 
purpose  and  signification  well  known  to  alt  beholders.  Of 
effigies  generally  the  following  prefatory  remarks  by  Mr.  C.  A. 
Stothard  (author  of  the  Monumental  Effigies  of  Great  Britain) 
will  enable  anyone  to  appreciate  the  value  of  these  monu- 
ments : — "  With  very  few  exceptions,  effigies  are  the  only 
portraits  we  possess  of  heroes  and  others  in  the  ages  famed 
for  chivalry  and  arms.  Thus  considered  they  make  us  ac- 
quainted with  the  customs  and  habits  of  the  time.  To  history 
they  give  a  body  and  a  substance,  by  placing  before  us  those 
things  which  language  is  deficient  in  describing." 

In  the  beginning  of  the  14th  century  effigies  are  first  met 
with  in  full  relief.  It  was  generally  the  custom  to  bury  the 
dead  in  the  dress  which  marked  the  habits  of  their  lives,  and 
so  we  find  Knights  who  held  their  lands  by  so  many  days 
military  service  represented  in  military  costume,  their  suit 
of  armour  descending  from  sire  to  son,  or  sometimes  being 


30  Sir  F.  de  Pembruge — 1409. 

bequeathed  as  a  rich  legacy.  The  first  body  armour  was 
composed  entirely  of  "  mail,"  i.e.,  links  interlaced,  when  the 
weapons  of  the  rank  and  file  were  bows  and  arrows — "  Eng- 
lish shafts  in  volleys  hailed  "  ;  this  was  succeeded  by  a  mixture 
of  ''mail  and  plate"  armour,  and  finally  "plate"  entirely. 
The  head  was  covered  by  a  steel  cap  or  helmet,  having  a 
narrow  slit  in  the  form  of  a  cross  to  allow  of  vision  and  res- 
piration. 

12.  SIR  FULKE  DE  PEMBRUGE  AND  DAME 
ELIZABETH.  GOTHIC  ALTAR  TOMB,  mostly  of  ala- 
baster, with  recumbent  effigies  representing  Sir  Fulke  de 
Pembruge,  Knight  of  Tong  Castle,  and  his  second  wife, 
Dame  Elizabeth  (or  Isabella),  daughter  and  heir  of  Sir  Ralphe 
Lingen,  of  Wigmore, 

This,  the  first  and  oldest  of  the  altar-tombs  at  Tong,  is  the 
one  under  the  north  arch  of  tower,  and  originally  beneath  the 
rood  loft, — an  honourable  place  of  interment,  I  suppose,  for 
Chaucer  relates  of  a  Knight  that  "He  lith  y  grave  under 
the  rode-beem."*  It  rests  upon  a  sandstone  base,  and  is  one 
of  the  four  monuments  described  in  the  Archceological  Journal 
before  referred  to,  and  in  this  guide  numbered  12,  13,  14, 
17.  "They  are,"  the  report  says,  "  four  monuments  invalu- 
able as  representing  a  series  of  Perpendicular  work,  each  speci- 
men being  characteristic  of  the  period  to  which  it  belongs. 
The  first,  though  executed  with  great  care  (the  minutest 
details  of  costume  being  elaborately  worked),  is  comparatively 
severe  and  simple  in  its  design,  having  more  a  massive  than 
an  ornate  character." 

The  Male  Effigy  :— 
Sir  Fulke  was  Lord  of  Tong  1371,  and  died  May  24,  1409 — 
the  last  of  his  line. 

♦Archbishop  Courtenay  (1396)  bequeathed  his  body  to  be  buried  in  front  ot  the  rood 
lott,  but  subsequently  revoked  that  part  of  his  will,  by  a  death-bed  codicil,  averring  that 
he  was  not  worthy. 


Sir  F.  de  Pembruge,  Died  1409,  31 

He  is  clad  in  armour,  partly  mail  and  partly  plate — a  fact 
which  helps  to  fix  the  date  of  the  effigy  closely. 

For  men  at  arms  were  here, 
Heavily  sheathed  in  mail  and  plater 
Like  iron  towers  for  strength  and  weight. 

Sir  W  alter  Scott. 

Ful  worthy  was  he  in  his  lordes  werre, 

And  thereto  hadde  hejridden,  no  man  ferre.f 

Chaucer. 

"  The  Knight  rests  his  head  upon  the  '  helm  '  or  helmet 
whereon  was  the  crest,  viz., — a  Turkish  woman's  head,  with 
a  wreath  about  her  temples,  her  hair  plaited  and  hanging 
below  her  shoulders."  This  helmet  would  completely  con- 
ceal the  Knight's  face,  and  so  warriors  wore  crests  upon  their 
helmets,  and  coats  of  arms,  to  distinguish  them  from  one 
another  on  the  field  of  battle. 

Then  marked  they,  dashing  broad  and  far, 
The  broken  billows  ot  the  war, 
The  plumdd  crests  of  chieftains  brave, 
Floating  like  foam  upon  the  wave  ; 
But  nought  distinct  they  se«  : 
Spears  shook,  and  falchions  flashed  amain ; 
Fell  England's  arrow-flight  like  rain ; 
Crests  rose,  and  stooped,  and  rose  again, 
Wild  and  disorderly. 

Sir  Walter  Scott. 

Helmets  were  made  of  certain  different  kinds,  distinguishing 
the  rank  of  the  warrior.  The  placing  of  a  helmet  beneath  the 
head  of  the  Knight — with  his  gauntlets  laid  by  his  side,  as  on 
tomb  17 — is  suggested  by  the  soldier's  actual  practice  when 
asleep  in  camp.  Notice  the  mantlet  worn  upon  the  helmet  to 
protect  it  from  stains  or  rust.  The  mantlet  took  the  place  of 
the  contoise,  which  disappeared  from  use  about  the  middle  of 
the  fourteenth  century.  The  "  contoise "  was  a  coloured 
scarf,  "  the  lady's  favour "  or  "token"  given  by  her  to  the 
knight  before  he  set  out  to  fight.  The  welding  of  the  joints  of 
the  helm  is  so  arranged  as  to  form  a  cross,  a  favourite  emblem 
in  the  middle  ages.  At  the  feet  of  the  Knight  is  a  lion,  emblem 
of  courage. 

t  i.e.  farther. 


2,2  Dame  Elizabeth  de  Pembruge — 1446-7. 

The  Female  Effigy  .— 
His  second  (?)  wife,  Dame  Elizabeth  de  Lingen,  described  as 
a  widow,  and  "  Lady  of  Tonge,"  was  the  great  benefactress  of 
Tong,  and  survived  him.  Sir  Fulke  Pembruge's  first  wife 
was  Margaret,  daughter  and  eventual  sole  heiress  of  Sir 
William  Trussell,  of  Cublesdon,  and  of  Sheriff  Hales,  Knight. 

Dame  Elizabeth,  about  1410,  caused  to  be  built  the  present 
Collegiate  Church  (except  the  Golden  Chapel),  and  richly 
endowed  it — as  more  fully  described  elsewhere.  She  died 
1446-7,  and  was  buried  beside  her  husband.  Her  effigy  is 
on  his  right  hand,  indicating,  Mr.  Stothard  says,*  that 
she  was  an  heiress.  She  is  in  widow's  weeds,  and  on  her 
chin  a  wimple.  At  her  feet  is  an  animal  of  the  deer  kind 
without  a  head,  collared,  and  with  chain  of  rectangular  links. 
The  lady's  head  rests  upon  a  two-tiered  pillow,  an  angel  at 
each  side  supporting  it  (heads  gone).  The  wimple  extends 
round  the  chin  over  the  shoulders,  where  it  disappears  under 
a  hood.     The  dress  is  one  long  plain  garment. 

Ful  semely  hire  wimple  ypinched  was. 

For,  all  for  heat,  was  laid  aside 
Her  wimple,  and  her  hood  untied. 

It  was  upon  this  tomb  that  the  Chaplet  of  Roses  was  placed 
annually  on  the  24th  of  June,  the  peculiar  and  only  rent 
reserved  by  one  of  the  La  Zouche  lords  upon  granting  large 
privileges  in  Tong  to  a  De  Hugefort  (see  detailed  under 
Owners  of  Tong).  "  Round  the  neck  of  one  of  these  Knights 
I  observed  a  fresh  garland  of  flowers,  and  was  informed  that 
an  estate  was  held  by  the  Tenure  of  putting  such  a  Chaplet 
every  year  about  this  time  on  the  said  Tomb,"  Mr.  Cole  says, 
in  1757. 

There  seems  to  be  some  uncertainty  as  to  this  monument, 
Sir   William  Dugdale,   visiting  Tong  Church  in  September, 

*  I  think  this  rule  will  not  apply  to  the  Tong  Effigies,  as  the  lady  is  placed  on  the 
Knight's  right  hand  on  each  of  the  tombs,  and  they  were  not  all  heiresses. 


The   de  Pembruges.  33 

1663,  refers  to  it  thus : — "  Towards  the  north  side  of  the 
Church  stands  a  faire  Tombe  of  Alabaster  whereon  do  lye  the 
figures  of  a  man  in  armour  (partly  mail  and  partly  plate 
armour)  and  of  his  wife  on  his  right  hand,  and  on  her  chin  a 
wimpler.  Upon  the  Helm  whereon  the  man  resteth  his  head 
is  this  Crest  (upon  a  wreath),  viz.,  a  Turkish  woman's  head 
with  a  wreath  about  her  temples  ;  her  haire  plaited  and  hang- 
ing below  her  shoulders,  with  a  tassel  at  the  end  of  the 
plaiting.  This  is  sayde  to  be  the  monument  of  Sir  Fowke 
Pembruge,  Knight,  sometime  Lord  of  Tong  Castle.  On  the 
sides  of  this  Tombe  are  divers  Escocheons  whereon  armes 
have  been  anciently  depicted,  but  I  suppose  it  was  since  the 
Vernons  became  Lords  of  Tonge  Castle,  by  marriage  with  the 
heire  female  of  Pembrugge,  for  the  painting  is  as  followeth  : — 
I.,  Blank.  II.,  Party  per  pale, — dexter,  barry  of  six  empal- 
ing a  lion  rampant,  sinister,  blank.  III.,  Barry  of  six  empal- 
ing fretty.  IV.,  Arg.  fretty  sa.  V.,  Arg.  fretty  sa.  emp.  barry 
of  six.  VI.,  Arg.  fretty  sa.  VII.,  Barry  of  six  or  and  az. 
VIII.,  Barry  of  six  or  and  az.  IX.,  Barry  of  six  or  and  az. 
empaling  az.  a  bend  lozengy  or.  X.,  Az.  a  bend  lozengy  or. 
XL,  Barry  of  six.  XII.,  Barry  of  six."  Others  including 
VI.  and  XL  are  repeated. 

The  above  language  of  Sir  William  Dugdale  does  not  point 
to  his  conviction  that  the  male  effigy  is  not  Sir  Fulke  Pem- 
bruge's ;  moreover  he  says  the  arms  have  been  depicted, 
implying  that  they  were  indistinct  even  when  he  saw  them. 

Mr.  Eyton  argues  from  the  arms  thus  recorded,  that  the 
tomb  must  be  a  Vernon  one,  but  the  crest  of  the  knight  would 
throw  a  doubt  upon  the  conclusion  that  the  entire  tomb  and 
effigies  commemorate  a  Vernon,  as  all  the  Vernons  have  a 
boar's  head  crest. 

The  measurements  of  the  panelling  (inclu  ling  the  shields) 
on  the  north,  south,  and  west  sides,  and  part  of  the  east,  lead 


34  The  de   Pembruges. 

me  to  venture  the  suggestion  that  it  originally  surrounded  a 
single-effigy  tomb,  now  destroyed ;  and,  assuming  the  arms  to 
be  as  above,  it  would  seem  to  have  been  a  Vernon  one,  upon 
which  the  broken  alabaster  boar's  head  crest  now  lying  loose 
about  the  church  would  have  found  a  proper  place,  as  also 
the  fragments  of  angels,  and  shields  of  alabaster  found  in  1892 
among  the  rubbish  beneath  the  church  floor.  As  we  have 
continuous  memorials  of  each  generation  of  the  Vernons  from 
Sir  Richard,  the  Speaker,  downwards,  and  as  none  of 
them  are  defective  as  regards  the  crest,  the  thought  suggests 
itself  that  the  destroyed  tomb  could  only  have  been  to  the 
memory  of  the  Richard  Vernon,  father  of  the  Speaker,  whose 
rebellious  conduct  resulted  in  his  execution.  It  seems  not 
unnatural  that  his  loyal  descendants  should  view  with  indiffer- 
ence the  ruin  of  a  monument  recalling  unfavourable  incidents 
in  a  distinguished  family's  career.  The  sculpture  now  at  the 
east  end  of  this  tomb  (17)  seems  to  belong  to  another  destroyed 
tomb. 

Mr.  Eyton  appropriates  the  arms  above  mentioned  to 
Pembruge,  Vernon,  Ludlow,  and  Bermingham,  and  is  dis- 
appointed at  not  finding  Sir  Fulke's  first  wife's  arms  among 
them.  Discussing  the  arms  as  above  recorded,  is  it  possible 
that  the  Arg.  fretty  sable  (Vernon),  "  the  true  lover's  knot  of 
heraldry,"  has  been  mistaken  in  some  shields  for  Arg.  a  fret 
gu.,  for  Trussel  ?  And  again,  the  Lingen  arms  are  so  similar 
to  Pembruge  that  they  may  have  been  confused — Lingaine, 
Barry  of  six  or  and  az.,  on  a  bend  gu.  3  roses  arg. ;  JLingayne, 
Barry  of  six  or  and  az.  on  a  bend  gu.,  three  plates  arg. 

In  Hereford  Cathedral  is  a  tomb  with  an  effigy  to  Sir 
Richard  de  Pembruge,  a  benefactor  to  a  priory  there,  the  arms 
upon  it  being  Barry  of  six  with  a  bend.  He  was  one  of  the 
earliest  Knights  of  the  Garter,  the  53rd  (Edwardian  period), 
and  has  plated  armour  and  shirt  of  mail  ;  panache  crest  to 
helmet,  a  very  rare  example  of  the  kind  of  plume  worn  in 


The  de   Pembruges.  35 

those  times,  not  flowing  but  stiff  and  erect.  There  is  a  grey- 
hound at  foot,  with  shaggy  mane,  and  other  details  are  very 
perfect  and  interesting.]:  The  effigy  has  been  carefully 
restored  under  the  late  Lord  Saye  and  Sele's  directions. 

It  is  probably  he,  Sir  Richard,  that  is  referred  to  in  the 
Brantingham  Issue  of  Rolls  : — 

"  To  Henry  de  Wakefield,  Keeper  of  the  King's  Wardrobe, 
by  the  hands  of  Sir  Richard  de  Pembrugge,  Knight,  in  dis- 
charge of  £116  19s.  7d.,  due  to  the  same  Richard  in  the 
Wardrobe  aforesaid,  for  the  expenses  of  himself,  his  men- 
at-arms,  and  archers  in  the  war,  as  appears  by  a  bill  of  the 
said  keeper,  cancelled  in  the  Hanaper  of  this  term.     44,  Ed. 

in.  (1371)." 

"  The  war  "  was  one  of  the  great  military  expeditions  of 
Edward,  the  Black  Prince — "  the  youthful  prince  who  won 
his  spurs  at  Cressy — that  mirror  of  knighthood,  the  first  and 
greatest  of  heroes,  whose  victories  surrounded  the  name  of 
his  country  with  a  lustre  which  produced  strength  and 
safety."  f 

It  is  curious  that  Mr.  Eyton  makes  no  reference  to  a 
Pembruge  so  illustrious  as  to  receive  the  Order  of  the  Garter, 
whose  name  might  have  filled  the  blank  he  found  when  tracing 
the  descent  of  Sir  F.  Pembruge  IV.  from  Sir  F.  Pembruge 
III.,  and  whose  existence  would,  perhaps,  have  restrained  him 
from  appropriating  Sir  Fulke  Pembruge's  tomb  to  Sir  Richard 
Vernon,  alias  (as  he  said)  de  Pembruge.  The  records  as  to 
the  ownership  of  Tong  appear  to  be  deficient  between  1335 
and  1 37 1*  ;  this  would  not  be  surprising  if  the  hero,  Sir 
Richard  Pembruge,  were  the  owner,  seeing  he  was  absent  on 
the  Continent  with  the  Black  Prince,  whose  military  career, 

%  Note  from  Lady  Saye  and  Sele.  f  Mackintosh. 

*  See  page  12.    Under  owners  of  Tong,  Robert  de  Pembruge  is  mentioned  by  Shaw  as 
brother  and  heir  pi  Fulk  de  Pembruge  III.,  and  father  of  Fulk  de  Pembruge  IV. 


36  The  de   Pembruges. 

commencing  in  1346  (Battle  of  Cressy),  kept  him  almost  con- 
tinuously abroad  until  his  death  in  1376. 

The  will  of  Fulke  Eyton  may  be  here  mentioned,  as  it 
refers  to  Sir  F.  Pembruge's  burial,  and  also  gives  an  idea  of  the 
personal  effects  of  a  gentleman  of  that  time.  It  is  dated  1454, 
and  directs  that  his  body  shall  be  buried  by  his  godfather, 
Sir  Fowke  Pembruge,  within  the  Chapel  at  Tong.  This  does 
•not  refer  to  the  present  Golden  Chapel,  which  was  not 
founded  until  151 5,  but  to  the  Lady  Chapel,  which  sometimes, 
though  rarely,  occupies  a  position  near  the  north  aisle. 

After  directing  that  prayers,  &c,  shall  be  said  at  4d.  each,  he  gives  /io 
to  the  almshouse  of  Tong  ;  his  best  basin  and  ewer  of  silver  to  the  priest  of 
the  College  of  Tong  ;  also  "  to  the  saide  College  a  Bed  called  a  fedre  bed 
with  the  honging  thereto  of  blew  worstede  ;  to  John  Eiton  "  alle  myn 
horse  and  riding  harnes,"  and  "harnes  of  goldsmythes  worke"  ;  to  "John 
the  boy  an  horse  and  40s."  ;  to  the  Chapel  of  Tonge  a  "  mass  boke  "  and 
"  Chalice,"  and  "blew  vestiment  of  damaske  of  my  arms"  ;  to  "  Nicholas 
Eyton  one  of  the  good  fedre  beddis,  and  a  chambre,  and  a  bedde  of  lynne 
cloth,  steyned  with  horses";  to  Isabella  Englefield  "  another  good  fedre 
bedd,"  which  after  her  decease  was  to  go  to  John  Eiton. 

In  an  old  Book  in  the  British  Museum,  dated  1796,  I  find 
"  Col.  Roper  saith  Vernon  should  be  a  red  Knot,  not  sable" 
The  same  work,  in  referring  to  Shottesbrookf  (which  has  the 
most  perfect  Gothic  Church  in  its  county)  confirms  the 
account  of  a  Pembruge  and  Trussell  marriage.     It  says : — 

"  Margaret  Pembridge,  daughter  of  Sir  Wm.  Trussell,  knight,  founded 
here  [Shottesbrook,]  2  Ed.  Ill,*  a  College  and  a  Chantry  for  a  warden, 
5  priests,  and  2  clerks.  He  married  Maude,  daughter  of  Sir  W.  Butler, 
lord  of  Wemme.  His  body  was  seen  by  industrious  Thos.  Hearne  (whose 
father  was  Parish  Clerk  of  Shottesbrook),  wrapt  up  in  lead,  and  hers  at  his 
feet  in  leather.  Their  son  John  died  without  issue,  and  then  their  daughter 
was  married  to  Sir  Fulk  Pembrudge." 

The  arms,  Az.,  a  bend  lozengy,  or,  for  Bermingham,  seem 
more  suggestive  of  the  Pembruge  family  than  the  Vernon, 
Sir  F.  Pembruge  II.  having  married  a  Bermingham. 

f  Gough's  Sep.  Mon.  v.  2  p.  2. 

•  If  she  was  wife  of  Fulk  Pembruge  IV.  this  date  must  be  a  misprint. 


Sir  R.  Vernon,  Kt.,  the  Speaker.  37 

The  arms  of  Ludlow  would  not  be  inconsistent  with  Sir  F. 
Pembrugge's  widow  Elizabeth's,  seeing  she  married  Sir 
Thomas  Ludlow  as  her  first  husband,  according  to  an  MS.  in 
the  British  Museum  recording  the  Visitation  of  1584. 

13.  RICH  ALABASTER  ALTAR-TOMB,  with  the  re- 
cumbent effigies  of  a  Vernon  and  Lady,  and  most  probably 
SIR  RICHARD  VERNON,  and  his  wife,  BENEDICTA, 
(?  daughter  of  Sir  .  .  .  .  Ludlow,  of  Hodnet  and  Stoke* 
say  Castle,  Co.  Salop,  perhaps  by  his  wife,  Elizabeth  de 
Lingen). 

Sir  Richard,  born  about  1391,  created  a  Knight  1418,  was 
constituted  by  patent  Treasurer  of  Calais,  4  May,  1444, 
resigned  it  in  favour  of  his  son  1450,  Captain  of  Rouen, 
(the  place  where  Joan  of  Arc  was  burned  to  death  in  143 1), 
and  Speaker  of  the  Parliament  held  at  Leicester  1426,  died 
1451-2. 

The  Treasurer  of  Calais  was  an  important  personage.  Vast 
sums  were  constantly  being  expended  in  the  protection  and 
maintenance  of  Calais  during  the  time  the  English  possessed 
it,  and  this  money  all  passed  through  the  Treasurer's  hands. 
The  office  of  Captain  was  almost  always  held  by  a  great  noble 
or  Prince,  and  the  subordinate  officers  were  of  corresponding 
honour  and  profit  with  it,  the  chief  one.  In  the  rolls  pre- 
served in  the  Tower  of  London,  mention  is  made  (1)  of  a  safe 
conduct  to  Richard  de  Vernon  to  Vasconia  (Gascony),  signed 
by  the  King  at  Westminster  ;  (2)  concerning  the  office  of 
Treasurer  of  the  Town  of  Calais  assigned  to  Richard  Vernon, 
signed  by  the  King  at  Westminster,  17th  May,  1444  ;  (3)  the 
King  appointed  Richard  Vernon,  Knight,  and  Walter  Aumener, 
Custodians  and  Receivers  of  the  Mint  at  Calais,  1  Sep.,  1446, 
and  there  are  many  '  safe  conducts '  for  various  persons 
addressed  to  Richard  Vernon,  knight. 


38  Sir  K.  Vernon,  Kt.,   1451 — Tomb,  No.   13. 

His  father  joined  in  the  Rebellion  of  the  Percies,  and  took 
part  in  the  Battle  of  Shrewsbury,  July  21st,  1403,  for  he  was 
executed  there  two  days  after,  on  Monday,  July  23rd,  Sir 
Richard  being  then  ten  years  of  age.  It  was  the  impatience 
of  Hot-spur  (Henry  Percy)  in  attacking  the  King's  forces 
before  his  junction  with  Owen  Glyndwr,  that  cost  him  his  life, 
and  his  followers  defeat  :  a  contest  remarkable  for  the  bravery 
of  the  combatants,  and  described  as  "  one  of  the  most  obstinate 
and  bloody  battles  recorded  in  English  History." 

His  mother  was  probably  sister  and  heiress  of  Sir  Fulke 
Pembruge,  who  died  in  1409. 

Of  five  pedigrees  relating  to  the  Vernons  no  two  agree  in  all 
particulars,  but  supposing  the  above  assumption  as  to  Bene- 
dicta  to  be  correct,  and  two  genealogies  confirm  it,  it  is  not 
difficult  to  discern  the  exceptional  facilities  at  the  command  of 
Lady  Pembruge  for  carrying  out  the  huge  task  she  had  set 
herself,  namely,  the  foundation  of  a  College  with  its  beautiful 
Church  and  other  accessories,  at  a  place  where  her  own 
interest  was  merely  as  a  dowry.  Her  father.  Sir  Raffe  Lingen, 
is  described  in  the  Visitation  of  1584,  "  as  of  Tong  Castle," 
which  is  curious.  The  erection  of  the  Shottesbrook  Chantry 
by  Sir  Fulke's  first  wife  Margaret  (Trussel),  was  not  unlikely 
the  cause  of  Elizabeth's  equal  zeal  at  Tong ;  and  the  marriage 
of  her  daughter  to  the  Lord  of  Tong,  her  husband's  nephew, 
the  Speaker  (whose  influence  with  the  king  is  marked  by  the 
bestowal  of  the  revenues  of  Lapley  upon  the  College),  enabled 
her  to  overcome  the  apparent  difficulties  in  the  way  of  placing 
upon  a  permanent  footing  her  College  scheme.  It  seems 
natural  that  Sir  Fulke's  sister,  who  probably  survived  her 
husband,  should  have  had  Tong  Castle,  but  I  suppose  her 
alliance  with  the  rebel  would  put  her  outside  the  pale  of  royal 
sympathy. 


Sir  R.  Vernon — Tomb,  No.   13.  39 

The  learned  antiquary,  the  Hon.  Canon  Biidgeman,  having 
found  my  supposition  confirmed   in   Inq.  P.M.,  I  append  his 

letter  dated  20  May,  1892  :  — 

The  Hall,  Wigan, 

20  May,  1892. 
Dear  Mr.  Griffiths,  -  I  told  you  some  time  ago  that  I  had  come  across 
the  inquisition  giving  the  exact  connection  between  Sir  Fulke  Pembruge  of 
Tong  and  Sir  Richard  Vernon. 

I  do  not  know  that  it  will  be  any  news  to  you,  but  I  had  lost  sight  of  it 
and  have  now  found  it  again. 

You  know  that  the  last  Sir  Fulk  de  Pembruge  married  two  wives.  His 
first  wife  was  the  daughter  and  heiress  of  Sir  William  Trussell  of  Cublesdon 
and  Sheriff  Hales,  and  widow  of  Nicholas  de  VVhyston,  Lord  of  one-fifth  of 
the  Manor  of  Weston-under-Lizard  as  being  the  son  of  Elizabeth  de 
Weston,  afterwards  wife  of  Sir  Adam  di  Peshale.  This  Margaret  died  in 
1402.  You  know  much  more  about  Elizabeth,  the  2nd  wife  and  widowr 
than  I  do. 

Fulk  de  Pembrugge  died  on  Friday  before  the  feast  of  St.  Augustin, 
10  Hen  IV.  (May  24th,  1409),  and  Juliana,  wife  of  Sir  Richard  Vernon  of 
Hailaston,  was  found  to  be  his  heir.  She  was  then  60  years  of  age  and 
more. 

Sir  Fulk  held  the  Manor  of  Tong  jointly  with  Isabella  (same  name  as 
Elizabeth),  his  wife  yet  surviving,  with  remainder  to  Richard  de  P. 
(Pembruge  ?),  son  of  Richard  Vernon,  the  nephew  of  Fulk  and  Benedicta 
his  wife,  yet  living,  to  them  and  the  heirs  of  their  bodies,  by  charter  or 
settlement. 

It  would  seem  from  this  that  the  Manor  of  Tong  went  straight  to  this 
Richard  Vernon  (or  Pembrugge)  instead  of  to  his  mother,  the  rightful  heir. 

The  reference  for  this  information  is  Inq.  P.M.  10  Hen.  IV.  no.  45. 
Believe  me, 

Yours  truly, 

George  T.  O.  Bridgeman. 

The  tomb  rests  upon  a  sandstone  plinth,  and  is  ornamented 
with  rich  canopy  work,  into  which  are  introduced  figures  of 
angels  and  saints  alternately.  The  latter  are  of  remarkable 
beauty,  and  doubtless  modelled  by  some  Italian  artist  ;  those 
holding  shields,  being,  on  the  other  hand,  of  commoner  design 
and  execution.  Sir  Albert  Woods,  Garter  King  at  Arms,  adds 
a  note  that  these  shields  are  '•  Not  sketched  in  the  Visitation.*' 
This  is  the  second  of  the  four  tombs  in  the  nave  described  by 
Mr.  Petit,  and  of  this,  in  particular,  he  says,  M  The 
second  is  decidedly  florid,  yet  all  its  enrichments  are  of  a 
strictly  architectural  description." 


40  Sir  R.  Vernon — Tomb,  No.   13. 

The  knight  is  on  the  left,  "  his  face  being  noble,  and  very 
peaceful, — the  repose  of  death." 

He  rests  his  head  upon  a  helmet  with  the  Vernon  crest 
thereon,  viz.,  Upon  a  wreath,  a  boar's  head*  couped  and  tusked. 
The  helmet  and  crest  are  placed  to  the  north  side.  On  the 
Pembruge  tomb,  the  crest  is  to  the  south.  At  his  feet  is  a  lion. 
He  is  in  plate  armour,  and  has  a  large  circlet  on  basinet  of 
gilt  laurel  leaves,  and  probably  pearls  are  intended.  There  is 
a  gold  circlet  below  on  the  forehead,  and  a  stud  near  the  ears 
to  fasten  the  body  armour  to  basinet.  The  armour  on  shoulders 
and  chest  is  crescented.  The  elbow-roundlets  and  knee-caps 
are  shell  pattern.  There  is  a  rich  circlet  below  the  waist, 
from  the  waist  to  the  hips  are  four  plates,  one  plate  beneath 
the  circlet,  and  two  plates  below,  and  to  the  lowest  plate  of  the 
armour  are  attached  straps  (4  in  front)  which  form  a  kind  of 
hinge  to  the  tassets.  This  arrangement  was  in  order  that  the 
armour  protecting  the  thighs  should  not  impede  the  free  move- 
ment of  the  legs  when  marching.  He  wears  besides  a  sword- 
belt  and  sword,  the  SS.  collar,  an  honourable  decoration  to  be 
seen  on  later  Vernon  effigies. 

The  collar  of  the  SS.,  composed  of  links  of  silver  gilt,  with 
badges  at  the  centre,  containing  the  shamrock,  rose,  and  thistle, 
was  introduced  by  Henry  IV.  The  earliest  instance  of  it  is 
believed  to  be  upon  the  effigy  of  his  Queen,  who  died  in  1397. 
(See  tomb  in  Canterbury  Cathedral  of  Henry  IV.  and  Queen,  in 
the  Thomas  A'Becket  Chapel,  where  the  letters  SS.  are  often 
repeated  in  the  ornamentation  of  the  tomb).  The  King's  motto 
was  "  Soverayne,"  and  the  inference  is  that  the  letters  were 
used  as  the  initials  of  that  favourite  impress.  The  king  seems 
to  have  made  this  emblem  of  his  sovereignty  an  honorary 
mark  of  distinction  ;  we  find  it  employed  as  such,  by  his  son 
Henry  V.  at  the  battle  of  Agincourt,    1415.     "  He   exhorted 

*  The  only  colouring  left  is  the  animal's  red  nose. 


Sir  Richard  Vernon,  Speaker  1427.  41 

such  of  his  train  as  were  not  noble,  to  demean  themselves  well 
in  the  fight ;  he  promised  them  letters  of  nobility,  and  to  dis- 
tinguish them,  he  gave  them  leave  to  wear  his  collar  of  SS."f 

11  The  sword  in  the  middle  ages  was  a  symbol  of  honour, 
an  object  almost  of  worship  ;  the  chosen  seat  and  image  of 
the  sentiment  of  chivalry.  X  "  On  the  scabbard  of  Sir  Richard's 
two-handed  sword,  now  broken,  was  the  sacred  monogram 
I.H.S. 

In  Stothard's  EJfiffies  those  of  Sir  E.  de  Thorpe  (killed  1418) 
and  lady,  in  Ashwell  Church,  Norfolk,  and  of  Ralph  Nevill, 
Earl  of  Westmoreland,  and  his  two  wives  in  Staindrop 
Church,  are  very  similar  to  these  Vernon  effigies. 

Of  Sir  Richard  Vernon's  wife  little  is  known  beyond  that 
her  christian  name  was  Benedicta.  Rayner  suggests  that 
she  was  a  native  of  France,  but  Mr.  Eyton  describes  her  as 
daughter  of  Sir  John  Ludlow. 

Woman  !  whose  sculptured  form  at  rest 

By  the  armed  knight  is  laid, 
With  meek  hands  folded  o'er  a  breast, 

In  matron  robes  arrayed  ; 
What  was  thy  tale  ?  —  O  gentle  mate 

Of  him,  the  bold  and  free, 
Bound  unto  his  victorious  fate, 

What  bard  hath  sung  of  thee  ? 

He  wooed  a  bright  and  burning  star — 

Thine  was  the  void,  the  gloom, 
The  straining  eye  that  followed  far 

His  fast-receding  plume  ; 
The  heart-sick  listening  while  his  steed 

Sent  echoes  on  the  breeze  ; 
The  pang-  but  when  did  Fame  take  heed 

Of  griefs  obscure  as  these  ? 

— Mrs.  JJemans. 

The  characteristics  of  her  effigy  are  : — Large  head-dress  of 

the  style  called   "  mitred,"  peculiar  to  the  time  of  Henry  VI. 

(illustrated  in  Mrs.  Halliday's  work  on  the  Porlock  Efjfitjies  of 

Lord  and  Lady  Harrington,  who  died  respectively  1418  and 

about  1472),   with  the  fret  on  each  side,   laurel  band,   band 

f  Stothard.  *  Building  lftw»,  Aug.  to,  I883. 


42  Vernon — Tomb  No.   13. 

crossing  breast  and  fastening  mantle,  with  enriched  lozenge- 
shaped  button  on  each  shoulder.  Long  cords  intertwine 
across  the  chest  and  hang  down,  with  tassels  at  the  end  ; 
several  rings  are  on  the  fingers,  and  the  hands  are  folded  as  if 
in  prayer.  At  her  feef  are  two  dogs  collared.*  f"  These 
animals,  so  frequently  found  with  figures  on  tombs,  especially 
those  representing  females,  are  the  appendages  of  high  rank. 
They  were  indeed  the  lady's  pet  dogs."  Thus  Chaucer 
(1.  146)  says— 

M  Ot  sraale  houndes  hadde  she,  that  she  fedde, 
With  rosted  flesh,  and  milk,  and  wastel  brede, 
But  sore  wept  she  if  on  »f  hem  were  dede, 
Or  if  men  smote  it  with  a  yerde  smert,"J 

The  lady  wears  the  collar  of  the  SS.,  and  her  head  rests 
upon  a  cushion  supported  by  angels.  "  The  lady's  face  is 
lovely,  the  broad  fair  forehead,  and  the  well-arched  eyebrows, 
the  straight  nose,  and  beautifully-moulded  mouth  and  chin  ; 
and  above  all,  the  expression  that  seems  to  animate  the 
features,  though  in  stone,  and  to  shine  down  to  us  through 
centuries,  fills  even  a  casual  observer  with  admiration  and  a 
kind  of  awe."  Somewhat  resembling  the  lady's  effigy  are 
those  of  Sir  Humphrey  Vernon's  wife  at  Bromsgrove,  and 
Joan,  Lady  Bardolph,  at  Dennigton,  County  Suffolk.  This 
latter  lady  was  daughter  of  Thomas,  Lord  Bardolph,  whose 
body  was  quartered,  and  parts  set  upon  the  gates  of  Shrews- 
bury and  other  towns  after  the  insurrection  under  the  Earl 
of  Northumberland,  1407-8.  The  attire  of  Lady  Mohun  (Joan 
Burwaschs  or  de  Burghersh)  presents  us  with  an  example  of 
the  fret  or  reticulated  coiffure  adopted  by  Court  Ladies  of  the 
14th  century. 

There  is  no  inscription  on  the  tomb,  but  in  a  Gothic  window, 
in  the  old  Chapel  forming  part  of  Haddon  Hall,  is  an  inscrip- 

*  These  dogs  are  technically  called  "  brackets," 

f  Stothard.  X  m.  with  ej,  stick  hardly- 


TOMB  NO.   14. 
SIR  WILLIAM   VERNON  AND  MARGARET  HIS  WIFE. 


Sir  W.   Vernon,   1497.  43 

tion  asking  the  prayers  of  the  reader  for  Richard  Vernon,  and 
Benedicta,  his  wife,  1427. 


*'  Orate  pro  animabus  Ricartii  Vernon  et  Benedict®  uxoris  ejus  qui 
fecerunt  Anno  Dni.,  mccccxxvii." 


By  this  marriage  Hodnet  came  to  the  Vernons,  and  the 
East  Window  of  the  Chapel  there  commemorates  the  union. 

14.  FINE  ALTAR-TOMB  of  free-stone,  with  slab  of  Pur- 
beck  marble  inlaid  with  brasses,  to  SIR  WILLIAM 
VERNON,  of  Tong  Castle,  and  MARGARET  his  wife.  He 
died  1467. 

This  is  the  third  of  the  four  monuments  referred  to  by  Mr. 
Petit: — "The  third,  though  it  has  open  work  canopies, 
depends  much  for  its  richness  upon  the  spaces  filled  with 
minute  and  intricate  panelling."  There  are  several  stone 
shields  in  the  panelling,  but  the  arms  are  defaced.  The 
brasses  with  the  shields  form  an  elegant  example  of  a 
V  mediaeval  brass."  On  removing  modern  woodwork  in  189a 
from  the  south  side  of  this  tomb  it  was  found  to  be  plain 
stonework,  except  one  panel  at  the  west  end  of  that  side. 
Solid  masonry  intervened  between  it  and  the  pillar  near. 
This  and  the  east  end  panels  are  not  in  their  proper  positions* 
but  remain  as  they  were  found,  it  being  impossible  to  tell 
exactly  how  they  ought  to  be ;  perhaps  antiquarians  will 
examine  them  and  give  their  opinions. 

inscription  : — 

P?tc  jacent  tows  OTiilius  Uernon  jJHilea  <&uontmt  fflilz& 
constabulatiua  &njjlie  films  et  tyxz&  tint  &icaroi  Uernon  jJHilitia 
qui  quontim  erat  STfjesautiiriuB  Calesic  qui  qufoem  bus  SKSillmg  obiit 
ultimo  trie  menais  3unii  &nno  Bomini  iHillimo  cccc  li  bit*  <£t 
Jftargareta  Uxor  tiki  TOilli  filia  4£t  fjerebitar  tint  Eoberti  $gpia  #t 
.Spernores  JHilitig  que  quitiem  JHanjareta  obiit  tii4 

iJKensis    .    ♦    .    $mno  ©omini  fHillimo  ccccli    ♦    .    .    quorum 
Animabus  $topicietut  JDeus.    &Jffi^H. 


44  Vernon— Tomb  No.   14. 

translation  : 
Here  lie  Sir  William  Vernon  Knight  sometime  Knight  Con- 
stable of  England  son  and  heir  of  Sir  Richard  Vernon  Knight 
who  sometime  was  Treasurer  of  Calais  which  Sir  William 
indeed  died  the  last  day  of  the  month  of  June  in  the  year  of 
our  Lord  1467  and  Margaret  wife  of  the  said  William 
daughter  and  heiress  of  Sir  Robert  Pype  and  Spernore 
Knight  which  Margaret  indeed  died     ....     day  of  the 

month in  the  year  of  our  Lord  146-,  *on  whose 

souls  may  God  be  merciful.     Amen. 

It  is  curious  that  the  inscription  should  omit  the  maiden 
name  of  Dame  Margaret,  viz.,  Swinfen  +  ;  she  was  daughter 
of  William  Swinfen  and  Jocosa  his  wife.  He  was  cousin  and 
heir  of  Sir  Robert  Pype  of  Pype  Ridware,  and  Jocosa  was 
younger  daughter  and  co-heir  of  William  Dureversale  alias 
Spermore  (or  Spernore).  Probably  Margaret's  father  adopted 
his  cousin's  name  upon  his  succession  to  the  Pype  inheritance. 
Sir  Wm.  Vernon  and  Dame  Margaret  were  married  in  1435, 
when  they  had  grants  of  her  grandfather's  (Spernore's)  lands. 
In  1445  she  succeeded  to  her  father's  estates,  Pype  Redware, 
Draycot,  and  Seile,  and  the  Manor  of  Wall. 

The  appellation  of  "  Knight  Constable  of  England  "  would 
seem  to  indicate  the  deputy  of  the  Lord  High  Constable,  an 
office  next  in  dignity  to  the  Lord  High  Steward,  who  was  the 
first  personage  in  the  realm  next  to  the  King,  but  Sir 
William  does  not  appear  to  have  had  a  superior.  The  Con- 
stable's office  was,  however,  more  ancient,  and  at  one  time 
more  important  than  the  Lord  High  Steward's.  In  the 
absence  of  the  King,  the  Constable  commanded  the  army  and 
kept  the  Constable  Court. 

*  She  survived  her  husband,  and  is  described  as  his  executor  in  1467.  The  inscription 
is  defective  as  to  the  day  and  month,  and  probably  the  year  was  left  to  be  filled  up  by 
other  hands  in  the  same  way,  but  never  was  completed. 

t  The  hamlet  of  Swinfen  is  near  Lichfield,  the  parish  of  Pype  Ridware  being  also  in  that 
neighbourhood.  I  imagine  these  are  the  places  from  which  the  families  of  Swinfen  and 
Pype  emanated.  Mr.  E.  Swynfen  Parker  Jervia  is  the  present  owner  of  a  large  part  of 
Pype  Ridware. 


Vernon-  Tomb  No.  14.  45 

Constabl»  :  To  horse,  you  gallant  princes !  straight  to  horse 

Shakespeare. 

'  To  the  Constable  it  pertaineth  to  have  cognizance  of  con- 
tracts touching  deeds  of  arms  and  of  war  out  of  the  realm,  and 
also  of  things  which  touch  war  within  the  realm,  which  cannot 
be  determined  nor  discussed  by  the  common  law."  Ralph  de 
Mortimer  was  the  first  Constable  appointed  by  King  William  I. 
He  had  the  estates  of  Edric,  the  Forester,  Earl  of  Shrewsbury, 
whom  he  took  prisoner  in  his  Castle  of  Wigmore.  King  Henry 
I.  made  the  office  hereditary  in  the  family  of  the  Earls  of 
Gloucester ;  but  in  Sir  W.  Vernon's  time  there  appears  to 
have  been  no  hereditary  constable.  Sir  William  "was  the 
last  one  who  had  a  grant  of  the  high  office,  it  being  looked 
upon  as  too  important  for  a  subject  to  be  thus  entrusted  with 
it,"  says  Bayner's  History  of  Raddon. 

The  brasses  inlaid  consisted  of  26  pieces  (well  shewn  in  a 
print  published  by  Wallers  in  1842),  viz. : — 

1.  Sir  William,  in  late  chain  and  plate  armour,  with  sword,  dagger,  and 
spurs  ;  the  helmet  with  mantling  in  shreds,*  his  crest  a  boar's  head, 
and  this  motto  :  — 

2.  "  BenetltCtltS    taUS     in    bonis    0U12."     (Blessed  be  God  for  His 

gifts.) 

3.  Dame  Margaret,  wearing  a  hood  and  wimple,  long  cape  lined  with 
ermine,  hanging  from  the  shoulders,  with  cords  and  tassels.  At  her 
feet  is  an  elephant. 

4.  This   motto   above  her  head—"  3$U  fill    fcabttl  JHlgetCte    VUib '  ¥ 

(Jesu,  Son  of  David,  be  merciful  unto  us.) 
.5.     Shield  above  the  Knight,  for  Pembruge.     Barry  of  six,  or  and  az. 

6.  Shield  above  the  lady  for  Dureversale,  f  Sa.,  a  fesse  chequy  or  and  gu. 
between  six  escallops  a/77.,  three  above,  three  below. 

7.  Shield  between  5  and  6  for  Pype.  Az.,  two  pipes  between  seven  cross 
crosslets,  or. 

8.  Shield  in  the  centre,  for  Vernon.     Arg.  fretty  sa. 

9.  Shield  for  Ludlow.  Arg.  a  lion  rampant  ducally  crowned,  gules, 
collared langued 

*  Latterly  mantlings  were  represented  as  very  much  cut  and  worn,  occasioned  by  the 
many  cuts  received  about  the  head,  and  therefore  the  more  ragged  they  were,  Uio  more 
honourable,  as  is  the  case  with  our  "  Colours." 

t  According  to  Edniondson.     In  Ducarell's  Book  this  shield  is  put  down  as  "  Peter  de 

ancerlis.' 


46  Vernon — Tomb  No.  14. 

10.  Shield  recording  the  union  of  Vernon  and  Pype.     Per  pale,  dexter, 
arg.  fretty,  sa.  sinister,  az.  two  pipes  between  seven  cross  crosslets  or. 

11.  Shield  for  Camville.     Az.  three  lions  passant,  or. 

12.  [Missing  J       Shield,  arg.  a  bend  engrailed  gules  for [Un- 
known.] 

13.  One  son,  and  this  scroll :  — 

14.  "  &pabt  tit  tUT0  et  erqriat  me."      (I  have  put  my  trust  in  the  Lord 
and  He  will  deliver  me.) 

15.  One  son,  and  this  scroll :  — 

l6-  "  J  Jilt  tot  memento  met."     (Son  of  God  remember  me.) 

17.  One  son. 

18.  One  son,  and 

19.  [Place  of  scroll,  missing.] 

20.  One  son,  and  thi9  scroll : — 

ax.     "  ©tie  lefoafci  aiam  mea  atJ  te."     (Lord,  I  have  lifted  up  my  soul  to 

Thee.) 
a2.     Two  sons  (?  twins.) 

23.  Two  daughters  (?  twins) 

24.  One  daughter,  and  this  scroll : — 

25.  4<  3fnt  filt  matte  ptetat  mtgsetete  nom'g."    (jesu  son  of  Mary  of  Thy 

pity  be  merciful  unto  us). 

26.  [Missing.]  two  daughters  (twins  ?; 

The  sons  are  shown  alike  in  long  frocks,  and  wear  pointed 
sandals  ;  the  daughters  wear  large  fret  head-dresses  and  long 
gowns. 

Near  this  tomb  is  the  LECTERN  (L),  given  by  the  Rev. 
G.  C.  and  Mrs.  Rivett-Carnac  in  1890.  The  old  lectern  was 
an  eagle  carved  in  oak,  with  one  leg  bent  in  an  unnatural 
position.  The  Bible  upon  it  is  inscribed  thus: — "  Tong 
Church,  1848.     Presented  by  the  Rev.  R.  H.  Leeke." 

P.  Jacobean  PULPIT  of  oak,  hexagonal,  exhibits  some 
good  carving.  Date  and  inscription  on  the  side  facing  the 
nave: — "  Ex  dono  Dne  Harries  Anno  Dni.  1622."  The  gift 
of  Lady  Harries. 

15.  FINE  ALTAR-TOMB  with  stone  effigies  commemo- 
rating SIR  HENRY  VERNON  KT.,  (Lord  of  Haddon  and 
Tong  Castle,  Knight  of  the  Bath,  Governor  and  Treasurer  to 


Sir  Harry  Vernon,   151 5.  47 

Arthur  Prince  of  Wales),  and  his  wife  LADY  ANNE 
(daughter  of  John  Talbot,  2nd  Earl  of  Shrewsbury),  both 
buried  beneath  the  tomb.     He  died  1515  ;  his  wife  in  1494. 

The  following  is  the  inscription,  which,  with  the  shields  and 
base,  were  until  lately  partly  concealed  by  modern  wood- work 
in  the  chapel : — 

Pftc  jacet  corpora  Jfenttcf  Femon  ifEtlttts  3^ttj8  eccleste 
Collegiate  fttnoatorte  et  ©tie  &rme  2Talfjot  uxorfs  mi&  ftlie  Jtofjfte 
©omits  &aIopte  qui  qutom  ©ns  ^cnttcus  obttt  xttt  ote  mensfa 
&prtlta  &nno  oommt  mtllestmo  qumtrentestmo  xfj°  35t  trtcta  one  &nna 
ofjttt  ibtt  ote  mens  ntajj  &nno  ont  mtllo  cccc  Ixxxx  tujto  quor  atam 
pptcietur 

Translation : — Here  lie  the  bodies  of  Sir  Henry  Vernon 
Knight,  the  founder  of  this  Chantry  Chapel,  and  Dame  Anne 
Talbot  his  wife,  daughter  of  John,  Earl  of  Shrewsbury,  which 
said  Sir  Henry  died  the  13th  day  of  the  month  of  April  in  the 
year  of  our  Lord  15 15,  and  the  said  Lady  Anne  died  the  17th 
day  of  May  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  1494,  on  whose  souls  may 
God  be  merciful. 

The  tomb  is  placed  under  a  wide  Burgundian  arch,  which 
opens  the  north  side  of  the  chapel  to  the  south  aisle. 

Above  the  tomb  on  the  aisle  side  are  four  elaborately  carved 
tabernacles,  but  bereaved  of  their  statues  When  this  work 
was  richly  gilt,  and  images  filled  the  niches,  as  no  doubt  was 
the  case  when  the  tomb  was  completed,  the  general  effect 
must  have  been  very  striking. 

Mr.  Cole  in  1757,  speaking  of  these,  said  "  There  is  a  very 
neat  small  chapel  which  has  a  very  fine  tomb  under  a  most 
beautiful  and  richly  carved  canopy." 

A  small  shield  in  stone  stands  between  the  two  central 
brackets,  the  arms  being  : — Quarterly  of  six,  viz.  : — 1st.  Pretty. 
(Vernon).     2nd.   Two  lions  passant  guardant.     (  .)     3rd. 


48  Sir   Harry  Vernon,    151 5. 

Gh.  a  lion  rampant  or  within  a  bard  1  ire  engrailed  or.  (Talbot). 

4th.     Barry.     (Pembrugge.)     5th.  Fretty,  a  canton 

(Vernon.)  6th.  az.  Two  pipes  between  nine  crosslets  or. 
(Pype). 

On  the  north  side  of  the  tomb  itself  are  four  shields  bearing 
the  following  coats: — 1.  Barry  of  six  or  and  az.  (Pembruge.) 
1.  ...  a  lion  rampant  sa.  within  a  bordure  gu.  (Talbot.)  3. 
Az.,  two  pipes  between  12  crosslets,  or.  (Pype.)  4.  Fretty. 
(Vernon).  And  on  the  south  side  are  four  : — 1.  A  lion  ram- 
pant sa.  for  Ludlow.     2.   Fretty  for  Vernon.     3 Three 

lions  passant  for  Camville.  4.  Fretty  impaling  Gules  a  lion 
rampant,  within  a  bordure  or  for  Vernon  and  Talbot.  The 
heads  of  the  figures  intervening,  on  the  south  side,  are  all 
broken. 

Sir  Henry  is  represented  in  plate  armour  and  wears  the 
collar  of  SS.  At  his  head,  black  plumes  surround  the  helmet, 
which  is  large  and  has  narrow  ventaille  with  little  ornaments 
in  rows  above  and  below  the  aperture.  The  crest  of  helmet 
is  a  boar's  head.  The  knight's  figure  is  of  large  proportions, 
and  resembles  that  of  Talbot  the  great  Earl  of  Shrewsbury. 
The  basinet  is  discontinued  and  the  hair  is  cropped  at  the 
neck.  Notice  the  veins  in  black  lines  upon  the  hands.  The 
shields  on  this  tomb  are  similar  in  pattern  to  the  armour  hang- 
ing down  over  the  thighs.  The  scabbard  of  his  large  sword 
is  coloured  red ;  upon  the  hilt  is  the  Vernon  crest,  a  boar's 
head,  which  is  repeated  upon  the  guard.  He  also  wears  a 
dagger. 

Sir  Henry  was  Guardian  (or  Governor)  and  Treasurer  to 
Arthur  Prince  of  Wales,  eldest  son  of  Henry  VII.,  who  lived 
at  Ludlow  Castle  and  held  his  Court  there.  In  1489  Prince 
Arthur  was  created  Prince  of  Wales,  and  the  nominal  govern- 
ment of  Wales  was  vested  in  him.  Probably  Sir  Henry 
Vernon  was  chief  of  his  counsellors.  The  talents,  acquire- 
ments, and  character  of  the  Prince,  are  reported  to  have  been 


Sir  Harry  Vernon,  died  151 5.  49 

such  as  reflected  honour  on  himself  and  on  the  individual  to 
whom  he  was  indebted  for  the  direction  of  his  studies  and  the 
cultivation  of  his  faculties.*  He  married  at  the  early  age  of 
16  the  Princess  Katharine  of  Arragon,  and  died  soon  after- 
wards (in  1502),  much  regretted  by  the  nation.  Sir  Henry 
witnessed  the  marriage  contract. 

According  to  tradition  Prince  Arthur  Tudor  spent  much  of 
his  time  with  Sir  Henry  at  Haddon,  where  one  of  the  apart- 
ments was  called  the  Prince's  chamber.  Sir  Henry's  seat  at 
Tong  was  probably  no  less  honoured  by  the  Prince's  presence, 
lying  as  it  does  a  little  less  than  half  way  between  Ludlow 
and  Haddon,  and  being  within  easy  distance  of  Shrewsbury, 
where  Prince  Arthur  frequently  visited. 

Sir  Henry  was  one  of  "  les  nobles  et  vaillants  chevaliers  " 
who  gathered  round  the  Royal  standard  June  6,  1487,  and  was 
M.P.  for  co.  Derby,  1478,  and  High  Sheriff  for  Derby  1504. 
He  passed  his  last  days  in  retirement. 

Sir  Henry  gave  the  "  Great  Bell  "  to  Tong,  and  founded  the 
Golden  Chantry  Chapel  (both  described  elsewhere),  and  in 
1500,  on  the  site  of  the  old  castle  which  had  become  ruinous, 
built  the  second  Tong  castle. 

John  Leland's  Itinerary^  thus  refers  to  "  The  Vernons  "  at 

Tong  : 

"  Many  or  almost  al  ly  there  that  were  famous 

Syr  Henry        of  them  sins  the  Fundation. 

ernui  There    was  an  olde   Castel   of   Stone   caullid 

daies  made. 
the  Castel        Tunge  Castel.      It  standeth  half  a  mile  from  the 

new  al  of        Toune  on  a  Banke,   under  the  wich  rinnith  the 

Brike.  Broke   that  cummith   from   Weston   to  Tunge. 

Weston  is  2  Miles  of,  and  is  in  Stafordshire." 

The  bit  of  very  early  carved  stone  now  to  be  seen  in  the 

*  Vide  History  of  Haddon,  t  Ordered  by  K.  Henry  VIII.,  and  begun  in  1538. 

H 


5P 


Vkrnons  and  Talbots— Tomb  15. 


Castle  yard  is  probably  the  only  remnant  of  the  **  olde  Castel  " 
ot  the  De  Belmeises,  La  Zouches,  and  Pembruges, 


Lady   Anne's   effigy  is  on  the  right  of  her  husband  ;  she- 
wears  a  long  dress,  has  a  necklet,  a  mantle  with  cord  and 


Vernons  and  Talbots — Tomb  j^.  5jt 

tassels,  and  tresses  extending  below  the  shoulders.  At  her 
feet,  two  small  hounds  hold  the  hem  of  her  gown.  She  was 
daughter  of  the  second  Earl  of  Shrewsbury,  who  was  a  Knight 
of  the  Garter,  and  Lord  Treasurer  of  Ireland  during  the  admin- 
istration of  his  father  (Talbot,  the  "  Great  Earl  "),  and  subse- 
quently Lord  Treasurer  of  England.  He  fell  at  the  battle  of 
Northampton,  1460,  fighting  under  the  Red  Rose.  Lady 
Anne's  father  and  grandfather  are  immortalised  by  Shakespeare 
in  his  King  Henry  VI.,  where  the  reader  finds  some  heroic 
yet  tender  passages  addressed  by  father  and  son  to  each 
other 

Talbot  (First  Earl) :  Upon  my  blessing.  I  command  thee  go. 
John  Talbot  (his  son)  :  To  fight  I  will,  but  not  to  fly  the  toe. 


John  :        No  more  can  I  be  sever'd  from  your  side, 

Than  can  yourselt  yourself  in  twain  divide: 

Stay,  go,  do  what  you  will,  the  like  do  I, 

For  live  I  will  not  if  vaj  father  die. 
Talbot  :  Then  here  I  take  my  leave  of  thee/f  air  son, 

Born  to  eclipse  thy  life  this  afternoon. 

Come  side  by  side  togetner  live  and  die  ; 

And  soul  wita  soul  from  France  to  heaven  fly. 

A  Vernon  is  also  introduced  in  the  play,  whose  zeal  for  the 
White  Rose  faction  causes  him  some  trouble. 

Of  Lady  Anne's  brothers,  one,  Sir  Gilbert  Talbot,  was  High 
Sheriff  of  Shropshire,  temp.  Richard  III.,  a  staunch  adherent 
of  the  Earl  of  Richmond  at  Bos  worth,  the  right  wing  of  whose 
army  he  commanded.  For  his  valiant  conduct  he  received  the 
honour  of  knighthood  and  the  manor  of  Grafton  and  other 
lands.  His  son  was  Sir  John  Talbot  of  Albrighton.  Leland 
says  of  him  :  "  Syr  John  Talbot  that  married  Troutbeks  Heire 
"dweilevh  in  a  goodly  Logge  on  the  hy  Toppe  of  Albrighton 
**  parke.  It  Is  in  the  very  Egge  of  Shropshire  3  miles  from 
"Tunge  " 

Of  Sir  Henry's  numerous  family,  three  sons  are  commemo. 
rated  at  Tong,  viz  : — Monument  No.  16,  to  Archur,  fifth  and 
your.gestson.  MonumentNo.  17,  to  Richard  Vernon,  Esquire, 
of  Haddon  and  Tong,  the  eldest  son.  Monument  No.  18,  to 
Humphrey,  third  son,  who  married  the  younger  daughter  of 


52  Vernons  and  Talbots — Tomb  15. 

John  Ludlow,  Esq.,  and  co-heiress  of  Sir  Richard  de  Ludlow, 
Knight,  and  thus  founded  the  Vernon  family  "ofHodnet." 
The  second  son,  Thomas,  married  (1497)  the  elder  grand- 
daughter and  co-heiress  of  Sir  Richard  Ludlow,  founding  the 
Vernon  family  "  of  Stokesay."  In  1509  he,  as  Sheriff  of 
Shropshire,  had  a  dispute  with  the  burgesses  of  Shrewsbury, 
which  lasted  several  years.  A  daughter  Margaret  seems  to 
have  been  Abbess  of  West  Mailing  151 1.*  Sir  John,  the 
fourth  son,  founded  the  Vernons  "  of  Sudbury."  He  was  one 
of  the  King's  Council  in  Wales,  and  Custos  Rotulorum  of  Co. 
Derby  (died  at  Harlaston,  Co.  Stafford,  1542)  ;  while  a 
daughter  Mary  married  Thomas  Newport,  Esq.,  an  ancestor 
of  the  Earls  of  Bradford. 

*  See  Account  of  White  Ladies  and  Black  Ladies. 


., 

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?tf  uif  aiguftia'iitiie^OWarfaif  jpinrt  Df 


SIR  ARTHUR  VERNON  (see  page  55). 


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*A>  *4>"  ^  <fV 


"  Some  part  of  the  edifice  had  bten  a  baronial  chapel,  and  here  were  •ffigies  of  warrior* 
stretched  upon  their  beds  of  stone."— Old  Curiosity  Shop. 

While  quite  as  polite  were  the  squires  and  the  knights, 
In  their  helmets  and  hauberks  and  cast-iron  tights. 

Ingoldsby. 

HE  VERNON  CHANTRY  or  GOLDEN 
CHAPEL  is  entered  by  a  rich  ogee  door  with 
finial,  the  crocket-mound  springing  from 
labelled  heads.  This  beautiful  chantry,  called 
the  Golden  Chapel  from  its  once  costly  orna- 
mentation, is  of  the  latest  period  of  the  Gothic,  and  was 
described  by  Walter  White  as  an  ''exquisite  little  appendage 
to  the  south  aisle,  which  shows  what  adepts  the  masons  of 
the  16th  century  were  in  the  art  of  fan-vaulting,"  the  roof 
being  of  elaborate  stone-work,  once  entirely  gilt.  From  the 
traceried  vaulting  hang  three  graceful  pendants,  two  termin- 
ating in  foliage,  and  one  in  neat  shields  with  arms.  The  walls 
were  originally  decorated  in  distemper,  traces  of  red  and 
brown  colouring  being  still  visible. 

On  the  east  wall,  in  1757,  there  was  a  crucifix  in  colours, 
and  beneath  it  the  following  INSCRIPTION  in  Gothic  letters 
yet  visible  . — 

"  $rag  for  tfje  Mobile  of  %xyt  fffarte  Fernon  l&nncjfjt  anb  ©ante 
&nne  jga  TOgfe  bjfjgcfj  <Sor  fjerte  m  tfje  gear  1 1  off  afore  3Lorb 
m  ccccc  10  mabe  anb  ftafonbpb  tfjgs  cfjapell  anb  efjafontro  anb  tfje 
gapb  &tr  P?arrg  II  bepartgb  tfje  xm  bau  of  &prnll  in  tfje  gere  a  babe 
saob  anb  of  pure  Cfjartte  tor  tfje  soil  of  &ix  &rtfjur  ||  Uernon 
Prgst  gone  of  tfje  aoobe  gagb  &tr  fjerrg  on  infjos  sollys  if)8  fjabe 
tnercg    &men. 

H  These  divide  the  lines. 


54       Sir  Arthur  Vernon  Priest- Warden  of  Tong. 

There  seems  to  be  no  doubt  that  the  noble  founder  was 
familiarly  known  as  "Sir  Harry"  or  "  Herry,"  Audelay  t 
poem  affords  illustrations  of  the  use  of  this  word  in  Shropshire 
in  the  15th  century  : 

"  On  him  sehal  fal  the  prophece 
That  hath  ben  sayd  of  kyng  Herre." 


41  Fore  hit  is  mad  of  kyng  Herre." 

IB.  Good  half-length  figure  of  SIR  ARTHUR  VERNON, 
priest  of  Tong,  in  the  attitude  of  preaching,  on  the  west  wall 
of  the  Golden  Chapel ;  the  figure  is  upright  and  of  stons, 
beneath  a  gilt  canopy,  and  rests  upon  a  bracket  with 
pediment  apart  from  the  wall.  "  A  monument  as  singular  as 
it  is  curious."  There  is  a  book  in  the  right  hand,  the  fingers 
of  left  hand  being  raised  as  if  to  give  emphasis  to  his  reading. 
Beneath  the  crockets  of  the  canopy  are  four  shields  of  arms, 
viz.: — 1.  Barry  of  six  (Pembruge).  2.  Chequy,  the  squares 
raised  and  depressed  alternately  (?  Reymes) :  the  revenues  of 
the  Abbey  at  Rheims  had  been  conferred  on  Tong  College  by 
King  Henry  VI.  by  virtue  of  an  Act  passed  at  .Leicester,  of 
which  Sir  Richard  Vernon  was  Speaker.  3.  Fretty  (Vernon) 
impaling  a  lion  rampant,  with  a  bordure  gu.  (Talbot).  4. 
Fretty  (Vernon). 

Sir  Arthur  Vernon  was  fifth  son  of  Sir  Henry  Vernon,  A.M. 
of  the  University  of  Cambridge,  and  sometime  Rector  of 
Whitchurch,  co.  Salop.  Died  15  Aug.,  1517.  Buried  at 
Tong. 

Mr.  Petit  says,  ■«  the  features  and  expression  are  remarkably 
good,  and  there  is  a  perceptive  resemblance  to  his  father,  so 
probably  they  are  faithful  portraits." 

The  prefix  Sir  or  Den,  meaning  Dean,  held  by  priests 
before  the  Reformation  chiefly.  Mr.  Cooper,  of  Stourbridge, 
has  found  his  will,  of  which  the  following  is  the  commence- 
ment : — 

In  the  name  of  God  Amen  In  the  yere  of  our  Lord  1515  the  last  day  of 
Septembre  in  the  yere  of  King  Henry  VIII.  the  eighth  I.  Sir  Arthur 


Sir  A- Vernon 


The King's  Champion 


C-^fy 


/r*/n  4rt  oft/ />r*'r><  • 


[  KlVlg-  CHarkS    mah'nj  H»    ttcapt.,  attend*  d  by  3 Pcndaretj  *"<*  F-Y*ti% 


Sir  Arthur  Vernon  Priest- Warden  of  Tong.        55 

Vernon  Prest  bole  of  mynde  and  of  body  being  in  clene  lyfe  at  the  making 
of  this  my  last  Will  and  in  good  prosperite  often  tymes  thinking  of  this- 
wreched  lyfe  seying  by  circute  of  daies  and  revolucion  of  yeres  the  day  of 
deth  to  fall  which  nothing  lyving  may  passe  therefor  of  this  helefull  mynd& 
thus  I  make  my  testament  &c  [Proved  at  Canterbury], 

Mr.  Cole,  writing  in  1757,  says  : — 

"  Time  was  so  pressing  [the  clock  was  striking  seven,  and  he  had  to  go- 
seven  miles  to  Newport  that  evening],  yet  I  could  not  resist  the  Temptation 
of  one  [monument]  which  lies  in  the  very  midst  of  this  Neat  Chapel,  out  of 
regard  to  beloved  Alma.  Mater,  and  was  only  half  concerned  that  I  could  no* 
stay  long  enough  to  take  a  sketch  of  it,  as  on  the  Grey  Marble  [i.e.,  on  the 
floor]  was  the  Figure  of  a  Priest  shorn,  and  in  his  proper  Master  of  Arts 
habit  as  worn  at  that  time,  which  was  different  from  what  it  is  at  present,, 
being  more  like  a  Batchelor  of  Arts  with  large  open  Sleeves,;  over  his  Head 
was  the  Cup  and  wafer,  and  at  the  four  corners  his  coat  of  arms,  viz. :  at 
two  corners  single  for  Vernon,  viz.,  fretty  ;  and  at  the  2  others  Vernon  and 
five  others,  among  which  I  thought  I  observed  one  of  Trumpington,  with 
two  trumpets  reversed,  etc.*      At  his  feet  was  this  inscription  all  in  brass  r 

*  ©rate  gpmaleter  prtr  $fta  JBnf  Slrtijuri  Fernon  In  &rtftu« 
jIHarrrt  tfcurj'gitatts  (Eanti&rigu  qui  abiit  xfc  Bte  VLugasti  %L°  ©n^ 
mcccccibtt  Cttjs  3fe  p'pictetur  ©eus.' 

"On  the  Floor,  just  at  the  foot  of  his  Gravestone,  and  on  the  only  step  in? 
the  Chapel,  lies  the  Old  Altar  Stone  [of  the  chapel]  as  part  of  the  Pave- 
ment of  it." 

None  of  these  were  to  be  seen  until  1892,  when  on  removing" 
the  modern  woodwork  the  objects  so  minutely  described  by 
Mr.  Cole  became  again  visible.  On  restoring  the  Chapel  in 
1 892,  there  was  revealed  the  grey  marble  slab,  8ft.  5m.  X4ft.  iin.r 
and  Sir  Arthur  Vernon's  brass  memorial,  with  inscription  ir* 
centre,  very  perfect  and  complete  ;  also  four  shields  of  arms 
in  the  corners  of  it,  viz.  : — Fretty  (left-hand  top  corner),. 
Fretty  (right-hand  bottom  corner).  Quarterly  of  Six  :  Vernon, 
Camville,  Ludlow,  Pembruge,  Vernon,  Pype.  Quarterly  of 
Six :  the  same.  And  over  his  head  the  Paten  sunk  in  the 
Chalice,  and  S.f^.jfc.  in  brass.  The  old  altar  stone,  10  inches 
deep,  was  found  as  part  of  the  pavement.  It  has  5  Maltese 
crosses  cut  in  it,  viz. :  one  at  each  corner,  and  a  larger  one  in 

*  Error  for  Pype. 


56       Sir  Arthur  Vernon  Priest-Warden  of  Tong.j 

the  centre,  5  inches  across  ;  also  two  other  tiny  crosses  cut  in, 
like  the  oylets  of  the  Norman  castles.  There  were  indications 
that  this  altar  was  originally  against  the  east  wall  of  the 
chantry,  so  it  has  been  fixed  again  there  ;  size,  6ft.  long, 
aft.  7m.  wide. 

A  piscina,  14^  in.  high  x  14^  in.  wide,  in  the  south  wall 
of  this  chantry  is  now  seen,  though  shorn  of  the  projecting 
mouldings  which  had  been  previously  cut  off;  on  each  side  of 
this  piscina  have  been  found  Bishop's  marks  of  consecration 
upon  the  walls,  viz.  :  a  Maltese  cross  within  a  circle  14^ 
inches  in  diameter,  all  in  colour.  A  similar  consecration  mark 
is  on  the  north  wall  of  the  Chapel,  and  one  on  the  south  wall 
near  the  shaft  of  the  vaulting. 

The  shafts  which  originally  continued  from  the  fan-vaulting 
of  the  roof  to  the  floor,  had  also  been  cut,  and  are  now  restored 
with  greatly-improved  effect.  The  old  chantry  flooring  was 
found  to  be  slightly  raised  in  the  south-west  angle  and  old 
encaustic  tiles  were  found,  four  forming  a  pattern,  of  which 
some  similar  ones  were  once  seen  at  White  Ladies  Abbey. 
One  set  of  four  tiles  had  each  a  lion  rampant.  Another  tile 
had  a  yellow  shield,  and  two  crosslets  in  the  lower  part. 
Another  had  a  Maltese  cross  in  the  first  quarter,  and  a  very 
curious  old  tile  removed  from  the  chancel  floor,  and  now  fixed 
here,  is  of  the  Lamb.  The  stall  end  and  angle-piece  of  the 
old  bench  to  fit  this  raised  floor  was  found  in  another  part  of 
the  Church  ;  it  has  now  been  refixed.  It  is  probable  that  this 
was  the  high  "  pew  "  or  seat  for  the  distinguished  worshippers, 
including  the  Founder  of  the  Chantry,  Sir  Harry  Vernon, 
and  possibly  of  his  princely  ward,  Prince  Arthur  Tudor,  Prince 
of  Wales,  first  husband  of  Queen  Katharine.  The  Historical 
Manuscripts  Commission  has  recently  discovered  among  the 
Duke  of  Rutland's  MSS.  a  programme  by  the  King's  command 
drawn  out,  directing  how  and  with  what  sumptuous  array  Sir 


Richard  and  Margaret  (Dymmok)  Vernon — No  17.    57 

Harry  Vernon  and  others  were  to  conduct  the  King's 
"  daughter  "  Margaret  to  Scotland  for  her  marriage.  A  hole, 
formerly  an  Aumbry,  15m.  high  and  ioin.  wide,  was  found  in 
the  east  wall,  which  contained  nothing  but  a  large  fungus. 

Of  the  roof  of  the  Chapel,  the  following  notes  occur  : — 

Spaces  between  fans  have  circles,  to  which  are  attached  pendants  by  ribs 
of  the  same  moulding  with  those  of  the  second  order  in  the  fans  themselves. 

Central  fan  on  north  side,  instead  of  being  supported  by  shaft  (which 
would  have  interfered  with  the  Vernon  tomb),  springs  also  from  a  pendant, 
which  is  enriched  with  mouldings  and  foliage. 

H  Over  the  door  into  the  Chapel  .is  a  tablet  of  white 
marble,  surmounted  by  an  urn  and  bearing  a  brass  plate  with 
the  following  inscription  :— 

Near  this  Place 
Is  Interred  the  Body  of 

Daniel  Higgs  Gent : 
Steward  to  his  Grace  of 

KINGSTON 
Who  departed  this  Life 
Oct.  1.  1758 
In  the  60th  Year  of  his  age 


Few  so  Honest 
None  more  so. 

H     And  on  the  south-west  pillar  of  the  tower  is  a  tablet — 

Near  this  place  lieth  the  body  of  Maria  Higgs,  Daughter  of  Danl.  and 
Mary  Higgs  of  Tong  Castle  who  departed  this  life  the  9th  of  May  1748 
Aged  19  Months  &  Ten  days. 

17.  Alabaster  ALTAR-TOMB  of  elegant  workmanship 
with  recumbent  effigiesof  RICHARD  VERNON,  ESQUIRE, 
and  MARGARET,  his  wife.  Mr.  Petit,  in  speaking  of  the 
traceried  panelling  of  the  Altar  which  belonged  to  this  very 
richly-sculptured  tomb,  says  "  The  front  and  sides  are 
elaborately  worked  with  open  arches,  pinnacles,  and  crocketed 
canopies  with  several  figures.  The  round  and  elliptical  arch 
are  freely  used,  and  other  marks  show  it  to  be  of  the  latest 
period.     The  following  is  the  inscription  : — 


58  Richard  and  Margaret  (Dymmok)  Vernon— No.  17. 

f^fc  jacent  corpora  Ifttcarbt  Ucrtton  be  Gaboon  ^rmtgert  et 
J&anjarete  uxorts  fxlte  Eobrrtt  ©gmntcfc  fHilitts  qui  fjafcuerunt 
txitum  ©eortjmm  Uernon  <&ut  quibem  Utcarbus  ooftt  m  Utgtlta 
^teaumptoms  sancte  JHarte  Uirgmts  ^tntto  bnt  fHtllestmo  qo  bmmo 
septtmo  3&  <£t  bicta  f&argareta  cfoitt  .  .  .  .  bte  menste 
....  &mw  bni  JHtfetmo  qumgentesinw  .  .  .  Quorum 
animate  omntpfltens  proptuetur  be*.    &men. 

TRANSLATION. 

Here  lie  the  bodies  of  Richard  Vernon  of  Haddon,  Esquire,  and  Margaret 
his  wife,  daughter  of  Sir  Robert  Dymmok,  Knight,  who  had  issue  George 
Vernon.  Richard  indeed  died  on  the  *  Vigil  of  the  Assumption  of  Saint 
Mary  the  Virgin,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord,  15 17,  and  the  said  Margaret  died 

day  of  the  month  ....  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  15— ,on 

whose  souls  may  God  Almighty  be  merciful.     Amen. 

The  pannelling  on  the  north  side  and  two  ends  of  this 
monument  were  used  for  many  years  to  form  the  altar  (No. 
25),  but  were  restored  to  this  tomb  in  1892.  The  vault  under 
this  tomb  is  now  filled  up  with  concrete.  It  is  arched  with 
stone,  and  appears  to  have  held  two  coffins  only,  probably 
wooden  ones  which  had  perished. 

The  effigies  are  somewhat  small  but  finely  executed. 

The  male  one  is  in  plate  armour  and  wears  the  gilt  collar  of 
the  SS.  His  helmet  (like  Sir  Harry's),  has  the  Vernon  crest, 
a  boar's  head  (lying  to  the  south),  with  mantlet  and  armour 
very  similar  to  Sir  Harry's ;  an  ornamented  sword-hilt, 
dagger,  and  gauntlets  lying  at  the  side ;  his  feet  rest  against 
the  double  tail  of  a  lion. 

He  appears  to  have  died  while  yet  young,  soon  after  his 
father,  so  probably  was  not  knighted  {vide  the  inscription)  ;  we 
may  imagine  him,  while  we  stand  by  this  tomb,  a  candidate 
for  knighthood  passing  the  "  Vigil  of  Arms  "  (pictured  in  Mrs. 
Hemans'  poemj,  the  consummation  of  which  honour  was 
subsequently  hindered  by  some  adverse  fate. 

*  Aug.  9.     14  Hen.  VIII. 


Vernon  Tomb,   No.  17.  59 

A  sounding  step  was  heard  by  night 

In  a  church  where  the  mighty  slept, 
As  a  mail-clad  youth,  till  morning's  light, 

Midst  the  tombs  his  vigils  kept. 

He  walked  in  dreams  of  power  and  fame, 

He  lifted  a  proud  bright  eye, 
For  the  hours  were  few  that  withheld  his  name 

From  the  roll  of  chivalry. 

The  candidate  for  knighthood  was  under  the  necessity  of  keeping  watch 
the  night  before  his  inauguration,  in  a  church,  and  completely  armed. 
This  was  called  the  "  Vigil  of  Arms." 

His  son  and  successor  was  then  nine  years  old,  viz.,  Sir 
George  Vernon,*  whose  tomb  is  at  Bakewell  Church. 

His  lady  on  the  right  has  a  hood  pointed  over  the  forehead 
and  hanging  down  over  the  shoulders  in  short  strips.  Angels 
(now  headless),  support  her  pillow,  and  two  small  hounds  at 
the  feet  hold  her  dress  in  their  mouths.  There  is  a  circlet  at 
the  waist  with  leaf  pattern,  and  hanging  obliquely. 

The  south  side  only  has  shields  of  arms,  and  they  are  : — 
1.  Ou.  a  fesse  dauncettee  or,  between  6  crosslets.  2.  Arg. 
fretty  sa.  (Vernon).  3.  Az.  two  pipes  or,  between  6  cross 
crosslets  (Pype).     4.  Arg.  fretty  sa.  (Vernon). 

Sir  Robert  Dymmok  was  king's  "  champion  "  at  the  coro- 
nations of  Richard  III.  (1483),  Henry  VII.,  and  Henry  VIII., 
an  office  of  great  antiquity,  derived  from  the  celebrated  house 
of  Marmion  with  the  feudal  manor  of  Scrivelsby,  co.  Lincoln, 
to  which  the  championship  is  attached.  He  was  a  military 
man,  and  one  of  the  principal  commanders  at  the  siege  of 
Tournay,  where,  after  the  surrender  of  the  city,  he  was  con- 
stituted king's  treasurer.  The  "championship"  has  been 
held  by  the  Dymmok  family  upwards  of  400  years. 

The  Champion  claims  on  Coronation  Day  one  of  the  king's  great  coursers 
with  a  saddle,  harness,  and  trappings  of  cloth  of  g^ld,  and  one  of  the  best 
suits  of  armour  with  cases  of  cloth  of  gold,  and  all  such  other  things  appeiv 

*  In  the  side  aisle  there  [Bakewell  Church]  is  a  table  monument  with  effigies  of  a 
knight,  and  a  lady  on  each  side,  and  this  inscription:—"  Here  lyeth  Sir  George  Vernon, 

deceased  the day  of and  Dume  Murgaret  his  wytie,  doughter 

to  Sir  Gylbert  Taylebois,  d«ceased  the    ....    day  of 15,  and  also  Dame 

Mawde  his  wyffe  doughter  to  Sir  Ralph  Langefofot,  deceased  the  .    .    .    .  day  of  .    .    . 
wnose  souls  God  pardon."  -  Antiquarian  Repertory. 


<6o  The  King's  Champion — Dymmok. 

taining  to  the  sovereign's  body,  as  the  sovereign  ought  to  have  if  personally 
going  into  mortal  battle. 

On  Coronation  Day,  he,  mounted  on  the  said  courser,  trapped  and  furnished 
as  aforesaid,  and  accompanied  by  the  Constable  and  Marshal  of  England, 
&c. ,  a  trumpet  sounding  before  him,  rides  into  the  banqueting  hall  where 
the  king  sits  at  dinner,  and  in  his  presence  and  the  presence  of  all  the  people, 
the  herald  makes  three  proclamations  to  the  effect  that  if  any  do  deny  that 
the  sovereign  is  the  rightful  heir  to  the  crown,  here  is  his  Champion  ready 
by  his  body  to  assert  and  maintain  that  he  lyes  like  a  false  traitor,  and  in 
that  quarrel  to  adventure  his  life.  Thereupon  the  champion  throws  down 
his  gauntlet  as  a  challenge,  and  if  none  pick  it  up  accepting  the  challenge, 
the  sovereign  drinks  to  his  champion  in  a  gold  cup  with  a  cover,  which  cup 
the  champion  has  also  as  a  fee  for  his  services. 

At  Henry  IV's  coronation,  Sir  —  Dymoke  expected  an  adversary.  When 
dinner  was  half  over,  he  entered  the  hall  armed,  mounted  on  a  handsome 
steed,  richly  barded  with  crimson  housings.  He  was  armed  for  wager  of 
battle,  and  was  preceded  by  another  knight  bearing  his  lance  ;  he  himself 
had  his  drawn  sword  in  one  hand,  and  his  naked  dagger  by  his  side. 

The  canting  motto,  "  Pro  Rege  Dimico  "  (I  fight  for  the  king),  is 
singularly  appropriate  to  the  office  of  this  family. 

The  scene  depicted  in  Sir.  W.  Scott's  poem,  "  Marmion,"  of 
the  approach  and  entry  of  Lord  Marmion,  the  Champion,  into 
Norham  Castle,  may  well  be  imagined  as  happening  at  Tong 
Castle.  Sir  Robert  Dymmok  was  Champion  at  the  time  in 
which  the  story  is  placed,  and  his  daughter,  Margaret  Vernon, 
was  the  Lady  of  Tong  Castle. 

The  lines  so  vividly  describe  the  mode  of  procedure  from 
place  to  place  of  a  great  knight,  his  retinue,  his  steed,  and 
habiliments,  as  well  as  the  occupants  of  a  castle,  at  the  date 
to  which  these  Vernon  monuments  refer  us,  that  a  rather  long 
quotation  may  be  given. 

The  sun  was  setting  on  the  castle  when 

The  battled  towers,  the  donjon  keep,  The  scouts  had  parted  on  their  search, 
The  loophole  grates  where  captives  weed,        The  castle  gates  were  barred  ; 

The  flanking  walls  that  round  it  sweep,  Above  the  gloomy  portal  arch, 

In  yellow  lustre  shone,  Timing  his  footsteps  to  a  march, 
The  warriors  on  the  turrets  high,  .  The  warder  kept  his  guard  ; 

Moving  athwart  the  evening  sky,  Low  humming,  as  he  paced  along. 

Seemed  forms  of  giant  height.  Borne  ancient  Border  gathering  song. 


Thh  King's  Champion. 


6! 


A  distant  trampling  sound  he  hears  ; 
He  looks  abroad,  and  soon  appears 
O'er  Horncliffe  Hill  a  plump  of  spears, 

Beneath  a  pennon  gay  ; 
A  horseman,  darting  from  the  crowd, 
Like  lightning  from  a  summer  cloud, 
Spurs  on  his  mettled  courser  proud, 

Before  the  dark  array. 
Beneath  the  sable  palisade 
That  closed  the  castle  barricade, 

His  bugle-horn  he  blew  ; 
The  warder  hastened  from  the  wall, 
And  warned  the  captain  in  the  hall, 

For  well  the  blast  he  knew ; 
And  joyfully  that  knight  did  call, 
To  sewer,  squire,  and  seneschal. 


Then  to  the  castle's  lower  ward 

Sped  forty  yeoman  tall, 
The  iron-studded  gates  unbarred, 
Raised  the  portcullis'  ponderous  guard, 
The  lofty  palisade  unsparred, 

And  let  the  drawbridge  fall. 


Along  the  bridge  Lord  Marmion  rode, 
Proudly  his  red-roan  charger  trode, 
His  helm  hung  at  the  saddlebow  ; 
Well  by  his  visage  you  might  know 
He  was  a  stahvorth  knight,  and  keen, 
And  had  in  many  a  battle  been  ; 
The  scar  on  his  brown  cheek  revealed 
A  token  true  of  Bosworth  field ;         [limb, 
His  square-turned  joints, and  strength  of 
Showed  him  no  carpet  knight  so  trim, 
But  in  close  fight  a  champion  grim, 
In  camps  a  leader  sage. 


Well  was  he  armed  from  head  to  heel, 

In  mail  and  plate  of  Milan  steel ; 

But  his  strong  helm,  of  mighty  cost, 

Was  all  with  burnished  gold  embossed  ; 

Amid  the  plumage  of  the  crest, 

A  falcon  hovered  on  her  nest, 

With  wings  outspread,  and  forward  breast : 

E'en  such  a  falcon,  on  his  shield, 

Soared  sable  in  an  azure  field : 

The  golden  legend  bore  aright, 

tCS^o  tjjtchs  at  tnt,  to  btatlj  in  oio,\t. 

Behind  him  rode  two  gallant  squires, 
Of  noble  name  and  knightly  sires : 
They  burned  the  gilded  spurs  to  claim  ; 
For  well  could  each  a  war-horse  tame. 

Four  men-at-arms  came  at  their  backs, 

With  halbert,  bill,  and  battle-axe  : 

They  bore  Lord  Marmion's  lance  so  strong, 

And  led  his  sumpter  mules  along, 

And  ambling  palfry,  when  at  need 

Him  listed  ease  his  battle  steed. 

The  last  and  trustiest  of  the  four, 

On  high  his  forky  pennon  bore. 

Last,  twenty  yeoman,  two  and  two, 
In  hosen  black,  and  jerkins  blue, 
With  falcons  broidered  on  each  breast, 
Attended  on  their  lord's  behest : 
Each,  chosen  for  an  archer  good, 
Knew  hunting-craft  by  lake  or  wood  ; 
Each  one  a  six-foot  bow  could  bend, 
And  far  a  clothyard  shaft  could  send ; 
Each  held  a  boar-spear  tough  and  strong, 
And  at  their  belts  their  quivers  rung  ; 
Their  dusty  palfreys,  and  array, 
Showed  they  had  marched  a  weary  way. 


Sir  Edward  Dymoke  (brother  of  Dame  Margaret  Vernon) 
officiated  as  Champion  at  the  Coronations  of  Edward  VI., 
Queen  Mary,  and  Queen  Elizabeth.  At  the  latter,  he  "  came 
riding  into  the  hall  as  she  sat  at  dinner  in  '  faire  complete 
armour,'  mounted  on  a  beautiful  courser,  richly  trapped  in 
cloth  of  gold,  and  cast  down  his  gauntlet,  offering  to  fight  with 
any  one  that  should  deny  her  to  be  the  lawful  Queen  of  the 
realm." 

ORGAN. 

The  ORGAN  is  a  modern  one,  purchased  in  1877,  with 
funds  the  proceeds  of  some  concerts  kindly  given  by  Mrs, 
Hartley  and  her  family  at  Tong  Castle,  and  voluntary  con- 
tributions.    It  was  built  by  J.  H.  Walker  &  Sons,  of  London. 

The  following  accounts  of  the  ANCIENT  ORGAN,  as  seen 
at  the  end  of  the  last  century,  will  be  read  with  interest : — 


62  Organ. 

In  1763  : — u  In  a  sort  of  Vestry  close  to  the  Chancel  among 
other  old  Lumber,  is  the  very  same  old  Organ-case  and  Bellows 
belonging  to  it  which  was  in  use  before  the  dissolution  of  the 
College,  a  piece  of  antiquity  hardly  to  be  parallelled  in  the 
whole  Kingdom.  The  Organ  was  small,  but  the  case  of  Oak  is 
very  neat,  and  of  a  pretty  Gothic  Fashion." 

"  In  the  Parish  Church  of  Tong  (once  collegiate),  the 
gallery,  with  the  entrance  to  the  choir,  is  yet  unremoved,  and 
the  organ  case  remains,  with  little  more  room  than  was 
sufficient  for  the  player.  This  organ,  to  judge  by  what  is  left 
of  it,  seems  the  most  ancient  of  the  sort  that  has  come  under 
my  observation,  which  for  the  entertainment  of  your  musico- 
mechanical  readers,  I  will  describe.  And  first  the  case.  It  is 
in  the  true  Gothic,  with  pinnacles  and  finials  after  the  manner 
of  ancient  tabernacles,  and  very  like  the  one  just  finished  and 
erected  in  Lichfield  Cathedral,  only  on  a  smaller  scale.  Now, 
as  to  the  other  parts.  The  keys  arc  gone,  but  the  sounding 
board  remains,  and  is  pierced  for  one  set  of  pipes  only,  seem- 
ingly an  open  diapason,  whether  of  metal  or  wood  could  not  be 
determined,  there  not  being  a  single  pipe  left ;  from  the 
apparent  position  and  distance  I  presume  they  were  of  metal. 
I  perceived  no  registers  or  slides  for  other  stops,  and  observed 
the  compass  to  be  very  short — only  to  A  in  alto  for  the  treble 
part,  and  short  octaves  in  the  lower  bass  ;  therefore,  not  more 
than  forty  tones  on  the  whole.  The  bellows  were  preserved  in 
a  lumber«room  near  the  vestry,  double  winded  without  folds, 
and  made  with  thick  hides,  like  unto  a  smith's  or  forge  bellows. 
Thus  simply  constructed  there  could  be  no  transmutation  of 
sounding  pipes,  nor  that  variation  to  be  produced  from  a 
mixture  of  different  flute  and  reed  pipes,  which  are  made  use 
of  in  the  modern  organ.  An  instrumental  machine,  whose  im- 
provement has  been  the  work  of  more  than  one  century  ;  at 
first  very  plain  and  uncompounded,  like  the  generality  of 
mechanical  inventions.     And  this  remark  will  serve  to  establish, 


Vernon  of  Hodnet  and  Alice  (Ludlow)  1513.         63 

in  some  measure,  the  antiquity  of  the  Tong  Organ." — Quoted 
from  Gentleman's  Magazine,  1789, — from  Shreds  and  Patches, 
Shrewsbicry  Journal,  Nov.  28th,  1883. 

18.  Pass  behind  the  organ  to  a  fine  TOMB  of  stone  with 
an  INCISED  SLAB  of  alabaster.  A  soldier  (on  the  right)  and 
his  lady  (on  the  left)  are  repiesented  in  black  lines  inlaid,  well 
defined,  except  the  heads.  At  the  east  end  of  the  tomb  are  the 
following  words  in  English  : — 

.    .    tiajj  of  ^urjust  En  tfje  sere  of  oure  3Lorti  m  ccccc  xix 

At  the  man's  feet  is  a  dog  with  collar  and  link,  short  ears, 
and  long  tail.  At  the  side  of  the  lady's  head  is  a  wingless 
creature,  not  a  griffin,  as  has  been  suggested,  but  a  lion  ram- 
pant (for  Ludlow). 

This  coat,  with  the  entry  and  date  of  decease  given  below,, 
is  doubtless  sufficient  to  warrant  the  appropriation  of  the 
tomb  to  HUMPHREY  VERNON,  of  Hodnet,  and  of  Hounds- 
hill,  2nd  son  of  Sir  Harry  Vernon  (No.  15)  and  his  wife 
ALICE,  younger  daughter  and  co-heir  of  John  LUDLOW,  Esq. 

He  died  August,  1542  or  1545,*  and  was  buried  with  his  fore- 
fathers at  Tong.  His  funeral  is  the  subject  of  a  curious  entry 
in  the  Hodnet  Churchwardens'  accounts  for  the  year  1542  : — 

Item.—  Rec.  at  ye  burryall  of  ye  Right  worshypfull  Homfrye  Vernoa 
being  burryed  at  Tong,  Lyghtes II. 

Alice  his  wife  died  28th  August,  1531.*  The  part  of  the 
inscription,  as  above,  is  much  crowded  ;  the  last  x  is  at  the 
corner  of  the  tomb,  and  it  is  possible  that  the  final  figure  f  may 
have  been  worn  off,  or  perhaps  never  was  put  on.  Alice  was 
daughter  of  John  Ludlow,  and  granddaughter  of  Sir  Richard 
Ludlow,  Kt.,  who  married  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Sir  Richard 
Grey,  Lord  Powys. 

Humphrey  left  two  sons,  George,  of  Hodnet,  and  Thomas,  of 
Houndshill.     His  great-grandson,  Edward  Vernon,  of  Hounds- 

*  History  of  lladdon  Hall. 


64  Stanley  Tomb  No.   19. 

hill,  married  his  brother  John's  great-granddaughter  and 
heiress,  and  thus  the  Houndshill  and  Sudbury  inheritances  of 
the  Vernons  became  united  in  the  persons  of  Edward  and 
Margaret  Vernon.  Their  son  Henry  was  an  ancestor  of  the 
present  Lord  Vernon,  f 

19.  Return  to  the  south  transept,  where  is  now  the 
STANLEY  TOMB,  a  fine  monument  in  the  Italian  style, 
surpassed  by  few  in  Westminster  Abbey. 

It  bears  three  effigies  in  very  good  preservation.     Two  in  the 

upper  or  table  part, — which   is   supported  by  eight  pillars  of 

marble — commemorate  MARGARET,  daughter  and  co-heir  of 

Sir   George   VERNON,    and    her   husband,    SIR   THOMAS 

STANLEY,  second  son  of  Edward,  third  Earl  of  Derby,  and 

one    in    the    lower   part,  beneath  the  table,  SIR  EDWARD 

STANLEY,  Knight  of  the  Bath,  their  son,  Lord  of  Harlaston, 

and    of  Tong    Castle,    and    of   Eynsham.      Dame  Margaret's 

effigy   is  on  the  right,  and   her  husband's  on  the  left.     The 

coffin  containing   Sir    Thomas    Stanley's   remains   is   in  the 

Stanley  vault  beneath  the  chancel,   and  records  the  date  of 

his  death  in  1576.     This  vault,  now  filled  up  with  concrete, 

was  found  near  the  altar  during  the  restoration  of  the  Church 

in   1892,   and   contained  three  old-shaped  lead  coffins,  and  a 

small  lead  box,  some  of  which  had  been  cut  open  and  rifled 

long  years  ago.     One  has  an  inscription  plate  of  lead,  about 

8  inches  by  7,  with  the  following  small  quarter-inch  letters 

cut  in  : — 

HIC    JACET  THOMAS    STANL   MILES    FILVS    SECVNDVS 

EDOVADI    COMITVS  DARBI  MARIIVS    MARGARETE   FILIE 

ET     VNE     HERETVM     GEORGII     VERNON     MILITES     QVI 

OBIIT    VICESSIMO    PRIMO    DIE    DECEMBRI   ANNO    REGNI 

REGINE    ELIZABETH   QVINGENTESSIMO    SEPTVAGESSIMO 

SERTO     ANIME     MISEREATVR     DEVS     AMEN      PER      ME 

JOANNEM    LATHOMVM. 

f  I  am  indebted  to  Mr.  Vaughan  for  correcting  the  statement  in  the  first  edition  to 
the  effect  th*t  the  Hodnet  and  Stokesay  inheritances  became  united  in  the  person  of 
Henry  Vernon,  which  was  not  so. 


Thomas  Stanley  and  Margaret  (Vernon)  No.  19.      65 

The  following  is  a  translation : — "  Here  lies  Sir  Thomas 
Stanley,  Knight,  second  son  of  Edward,  Earl  of  Derby, 
husband  of  Margaret,  daughter  and  co-heir  of  George  Vernon, 
Knight,  who  died  on  the  21st  December,  in  the  19th  year  of 
the  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth,  a.d.,  1576.  God  have  mercy 
on  his  soul.     Amen.     By  me,  John  Lathom." 

Sir  Edward  Stanley  was  called  by  the  Puritans  an  "  arrant 
and  dangerous  Papist,"  and  died  in  1632.  He  sold  Tong  to 
Sir  Thomas  Harries  in  1623. 

The  tomb  formerly  occupied  a  position  at  the  north  side  of 
the  altar.  "  A  monstrous  large  canopy  tomb  stands 
jostling  the  altar,  and  before  it,  placed  there,  as  I  should 
guess,  in  the  indecent  reign  of  Queen  Elizabeth,"  Mr.  Cole 
says,  1757.  It  was  removed,  as  I  am  informed,  by  Mr. 
Durant,  a  late  owner  of  Tong,  to  make  room  for  the  Durant 
monuments.  The  late  Mr.  Street  contemplated  restoring  it 
to  its  original  position,  as  described  in  the  Gentleman's 
Magazine,  1763;  but  this  was  impossible,  and  Mr.  Christian 
wisely  contented  himself  with  advising  its  retention  on  the 
present  site,  simply  repairing  and  re-erecting  it  parallel  with 
and  adjacent  to  the  other  tombs  of  the  Vernon  family. 

Sir  Thomas  is  in  heavy  plate  armour,  richly  ornamented. 
Both  hands  are  on  his  breast.  His  helmet  plumes  are  ostrich 
feathers.  All  the  effigies  recline  upon  quilted  straw-like  beds 
of  stone. 

Dame  Margaret  is  in  black ;  her  head  rests  upon  an 
embroidered  pillow  ;  the  features  are  delicately  cut  ;  the  hair  is 
brushed  back  off  the  forehead ;  she  wears  a  cap  with  gold 
circlet,  and  a  muslin  gorget,  and  narrow  Elizabethan  collar. 

Sir   Edward   is  in   plate  armour,   with   right  hand  on  his 
breast,  the  left  on  his  sword  hilt. 
J 


66  Stanley  Tomb,  No.   19. 

The  square  tapering  columns  of  black  marble  are  now 
placed  upon  the  tomb  ;  formerly  they  were  apart  from  it,  and 
each  was  surmounted  by  a  white  marble  figure.  The  figures 
are  all  damaged,  and  are  lying  loose  about  the  tomb. 

On  the  arches  which  carry  the  upper  structure  of  the  tomb 
and  around  the  sides  are  the  numerous  shields  of  arms 
quartered  by  the  Stanleys  and  Vernons. 

The  eight  square  alabaster  columns  supporting  the  table 
are  carved  with  elegant  narrow  ribbon  decoration,  into  which 
are  introduced  little  centres  of  compasses,  spears,  quivers, 
books,  censers,  torches,  drums,  lances,  body-armour,  helmets, 
some  erect  and  some  inverted.  Similar  emblems  and  ribbon 
decoration  were  to  be  seen  on  the  arch  of  the  Goldsmiths, 
erected  by  the  Emperor  Severus.  The  32  panels  which  form 
the  ceiling  of  the  table  have  been  enriched  with  rosettes  or 
roses,  but  all  are  missing.  The  8  circular  columns,  which 
stand  beside  each  square  pillar,  are  of  rich  marble,  four  being 
black,  and  four,  the  centre  ones,  red. 

The  present  state  of  the  tomb  scarcely  comes  up  to  the  term 
"  magnificent  "  applied  to  it  by  more  than  one  writer,  but  let  us 
bear  in  mind  that  it  is  now  shorn  of  much  that  formerly  lent 
elegance  to  it.  The'  original  colouring  of  the  figures  repre- 
senting the  deceased  as  they  lived  (of  which  the  black  hair  of 
Sir  Edward  is  an  example),  the  polished  marbles  and  gilding, 
the  shields  of  arms,  and  other  embellishments,  with  the  tall 
columns  bearing  angels — the  whole  surmounted  by  a  rich 
canopy — would  give  an  incomparably  different  effect  from 
that  presented  at  the  present  time,  though  it  still  exhibits 
much  rich  work. 

The  shields  of  arms  upon  the  tomb  appear  to  be  as  follow 
but  the  colours  are  very  indistinct : — 


Stanley  Tomb,  No.  ig.  67 

x.  Sable  on  a  bend  azure,  three  stags'  heads  cabossed  or  [Stanley]. 

2.  Stanley  1  impaling  a  fret  safcfe  [VernonJ . 

3.  Or,  a  cross  engrailed  sable  [  ]. 

4.  Azure,  a  fret  sa&te,  a  canton  gules  [Vernon]. 

5 a  fesse  chequy  or  and  az.  between  3  escallop  shells  [  ]. 

6.  Gone. 

7.  Gules,  three  legs  conjoined  in  armour  proper,  garnished  and  spurred 
or   [Isle  of  Man]. 

8.  Azure,  three  lions  passant  sable  [Ludlow] . 

9.  like  1. 

10.  Sable,  a  lion  rampant  guardant  gules,  collared  or  [  ]. 

11.  Cheeky  azure  and  or  [Warren  ?]. 

12.  Azure  a  saltier  gules,  on  a  chief  gules,  3  escallops  or  [  ]. 

13.  Barry  of  six  or  and  a^ure  [Pembruge]. 

14.  Argent  a  lion  rampant  sable  langued  gules  [Ludlow]. 

15.  Or,  on  a  chief  dancettee  azure,  3  bezants  [Latham]. 

16.  Azure,  two  pipes  between  7  crosslets  or  [Pype]. 

17.  Azure,  a  fret  sable  [Vernon]. 

18.  Gules,  a  canton  sinister  and  base  azure  [  ]. 

19.  Gules,  two  lions  passant  in  pale,  or  [Strange]. 

20.  Gules,  a  cinqueioil  or.  within  6  cross  crosslets  or  [Umfreville  ?]. 

A.  Stanley,  impaling  or  a  lion  rampant  [  ] . 

C.  Or  a  lion  rampant  sable  langued  gules  (?)  [  ]. 

B.  Or  a  lion  rampant  sable  langued  gule$    [  ]. 

D.  Stanley  (?) 

E.  Ditto      (?) 

F.  Vernon  (?) 

On  the  north  side  of  the  monument  is  this  INSCRIPTION 

in  gilt  lettering  (not  cut  in) : — 

THOMAS  STANDLEY  SECOND  SOONE  OF  EDWARD  EARL  OF  DERBIE 
LORD  STANLEY  AND  STRANGE  DESENDED  FROM  THE  FAMILIE  OF  THE 
STANLEYS  MARRIED  MARGARET  VERNON  ONE  OF  THE  DAVGHTERS 
AND  COHAIRS  OF  SIR  GEORGE  VERNON  OF  NETHER  HADDON  IN  THE 
COVNT1E  OF  DERBIE  KNIGHTE 

BY  WHOM  HE  HAD  ISSVE  TWO  SOONS  HENRI  AND  EDW :  HENRY  DIED 
AN  INFANT  &  E  SVRVIVED  TO  WHOM  THOS  LORDSHIPES  DESENDED 
AND  MARRIED  THE  LA.  LVCIE  PERCIE  SECOND  DAVGHTER  TO  THOMAS 
EARL  OF  NORTHVMBELAND  BY  HER  HE  HAD  ISSVE  7  DAVGHTERS  AND 
ONE  SOONE  SHEE  AND  HER  4  DAVGHTERS  18  ARABELLA  16  MARIE  15 
ALIS  AND  13  PRISCILLA 


68  Shakespearian  Inscription,  Tomb  ig. 

ARE  INTERRED  VNDER  A  MONNIMENT  IN  YE  CHVRCHE  OF  WALTHAM 
IN  YE  COVNTIE  OF  ESSEX.  THOMAS  HIS  SOONE  DIED  IN  HIS  INFANCIE 
AND  IS  BVRIED  IN  YE  PARISHE  CHVRCHE  OF  WINWICKE  IN  YE  COVNTIE 
OF  LANCA:  YE  OTHER  THREE  PETRONELLA  FRANCIS  AND  VENESIE  ARE 
YET  LIVINGE. 

At  the  head  of  the  tomb  on  west  end  are  these  "  following 
verses  made  by  William  Shakespeare,  the  late  famous 
tragedian,"  says  Sir  Wm.  Dugdale. 

ASK  WHO  LYES  HEARE  BVT  DO  NOT  WEEP; 

HE  IS  NOT  DEAD,  HE  DOOTH  BVT  SLEEP. 

THIS  STONY  REGISTER  IS  FOR  HIS  BONES 

HIS  FAME  IS  MORE  PERPETVALL  THEN  THEISE  STONES; 

AND  HIS  OWN  GOODNESS  WT  HIMSELF  BEING  GON 

SHALL  LYVE  WHEN  EARTHLIE  MONVMENT  IS  NONE. 

And  at  the  foot  of  the  tomb  {i.e.,  the  east  end  now)  these 
interesting  and  oft-quoted  lines  :  — 

NOT  MONVMENTALL  STONE  PRESERVES  OVR  FAME 

NOR  SKY  ASPYRING  PIRAMIDS  OVR  NAME 

THE  MEMORY  OF  HIM  FOR  WHOM  THIS  STANDS 

SHALL  OVTLYVE  MARBL  AND  DEFACERS'  HANDS 

WHEN  ALL  TO  TYME'S  CONSVMPTION  SHALL  BE  GEAVEN 

STANDLY  FOR  WHOM  THIS  STANDS  SHALL  STAND  IN  HEAVEN. 

Underneath  was  the  following  line  not  now  to  be  seen : — 

Beati  mortui  qui  in  Domino  moriuntur. 
(Blessed  are  the  dead  which  die  in  the  Lord) 

Mr.  Eyton,  in  his  Antiquities  of  Shropshire,  writes  : — "  Sir 
William  Dugdale  says  positively  that  this  epitaph,  '  Not 
monumental  stone,'  &c,  was  written  by  Shakespeare,"  and 
that  "  the  opposite  or  east  end  {i.e.,  the  foot)  of  the  tomb 
exhibits  six  lines  which  I  cannot  help  thinking  to  have  been  in 
imitation  of  them  by  an  inferior  poet.  Possibly  they  are  in 
praise  of  Sir  Edward,  son  of  Sir  Thomas,  for  they  speak  of 
one  who  '  lyes  here.'  Now  Sir  Tnomas  is  said  to  have  been 
buried  at  Walthamstow."  This  is  an  erroneous  conclusion  : 
Sir  Thomas  is  buried  at  Tong,  and  he  and  his  wife  lie  in  the 
same  vault.  It  has  been  remarked  that  if  Shakespeare  wrote 
the  epitaph  at  the  date  upon  the  tomb — (I  see  no  date  upon 
the  tomb  now) — he  could  only  have  been  12  years  old,  but 
possibly   this  tomb,  like  many  others,  was  not  erected  for 


Stanley  Tomb — Shakespearian  Inscription.  69 

many  years  after  Sir  Thomas's  decease,  and  probably  not 
until  some  time  after  Sir  Edward's  decease.  May  not  its 
beauty  of  design  suggest  the  artistic  taste  of  Sir  Kenelm 
Digby,  Sir  Edward's  son-in-law  ? 

Sir    Edward    Stanley  was    father  of  the   famous   beauty 

Venetia    Lady    Digby,    about   whom  Johnson    wrote  a   long 

poem.  Her  name  is  mentioned  as  "  yet  living "  on  the 
Stanley  tomb  at  Tong. 

The  date  of  the  tomb,  and  so  probably  of  the  inscription 
also,  can  be  readily  traced  to  a  very  definite  period  thus : 
Venetia  Digby  was  born  1600  and  died  in  1633,  therefore  the 
inscription  was  put  on  between  those  dates.  Sir  Edward 
Stanley  died,  I  believe,  in  1632. 

I  have  before  suggested  that  this  handsome  monument  was 
probably  due  to  the  refined  taste  of  the  husband  of  Venetia, 
Sir  Kenelm  Digby,  the  "Ornament  of  England,"  as  he  was 
called.  It  would  seem,  therefore,  that  in  attributing  the 
epitaph  to  Shakespeare's  early  youth,  12  years,  as  one  writer 
has  done,  he  may  have  been  guided  by  its  similarity  to  his 
sonnets,  which,  though  written  in  early  youth,  were  not  pub. 
lished  till  1603  when  he  was  39,  two  of  which  are  given  below. 
I  think  the  doubtful  inference  has  arisen  through  adopting  as 
its  date  the  time  of  the  death  of  Sir  Thos.  Stanley  (1576). 
Shakespeare  was  born  in  1564,  and  died  in  1616.  In  1616 
Venetia  would  be  a  young  girl  of  16  ;  hence  the  words  "  yet 
living  "  in  the  inscription.     Shakespeare  would  then  be  52. 

There  are  other  lines  in  Shakespeare's  sonnets  and  else- 
where so  similar  to  these  lines  attributed  to  him  at  Tong, 
that  they,  and  Sir  William  Dugdale's  record  that  he  wrote 
them,  appear  to  be  conclusive.     I  choose  out  these  two  : — 

Not  marble,  nor  the  gilded  monuments 

Of  princes,  shall  outlive  this  powerful  rhyme : 
But  you  shall  shine  more  bright  in  these  contents 

Than  unswept  atone  besmear'd  with  sluttish  time. 


Jo  Stanley  Tomb,  No.  19. 

When  wasteful  war  shall  statues  oveitum, 

And  broils  root  out  the  work  of  masonry, 
Nor  Mars  hia  sword  nor  war's  quick  fire  shall  burn 

The  liviug  record  of  your  memory. 

My  love  looks  fresh,  and  Death  to  me  subscribes, 

Since,  spite  of  him,  I'll  live  in  this  .poor- rhyme. 
While  he  insults  o'er  dull  and  speechless  tribes, 

And  thou  in  this  shalt  find  thy  monument. 

When  tyrant's  crests  and  tombs  of  brass  are  spent. 

As  "  England's  Queen  and  most  chivalrous  nobles  were  his 
friends,"  it  seems  to  me  most  natural  that  the  monument  at 
Tong,  which  commemorates  together  the  following  illustrious 
names,  should  bear  lines  written  by  the  great  poet  of  the  time 
— Margaret  Vernon  (daughter  of  the  Vernon  King  of  the 
Peak),  Sir  Thomas  Stanley,  son  of  Earl  of  Derby,  Sir  Edward 
Stanley,  K.B.,  his  son,  Lady  Lucy  Percy  (daughter  of  Duke  of 
Northumberland),  and  Venetia  Digby,  the  beautiful. 

I  have  no  doubt  the  inscription  in  the  3  compartments,  now 
on  the  north  side,  was  at  first  on  the  south  side.  The  tomb 
stood  in  the  Chancel  on  the  north  side  of  the  altar,  and  hence 
the  inscription  would  be  only  readable  if  on  the  south  side  of 
the  tomb.  It  seems,  therefore,  that  the  table  part  of  the  tomb 
has  been  twisted  completely  round.  The  verse  "  Ask,"  &c, 
originally  at  the  foot  of  the  tomb,  and  at  the  east  end,  is  now 
at  the  head  and  west  end ;  and  the  verse  "  not  monu- 
mental," &c,  formerly  at  the  head,  is  now  at  the  foot. 

The  late  Dean  Stanley's  letter  to  Mr.  Lawrence,  regarding 
the  Stanley  Tomb,  is  appended  : — 

Sept.  8,  1873. 
Address  Anderfield  Dren  N.B. 

Dear  Sir, — I  am  much  obliged  for  your  kind  trouble  in  regard  to  the 
Stanley  Monument  in  your  Church.  I  presume  that  there  is  no  date  on 
the  monument  to  indicate  that  it  may  have  been  a  later  epoch  than  the 
date  of  the  death  of  its  owner,  and  so  escape  the  necessity  of  adopting  the 
impossible  youth  of  Shakespeare,  if  there  were  other  sufficient  points  for 
supposing  him  to  be  the  author.  When  in  the  Church  I  only  read  hastily 
that  part  of  the  inscription  which  is  at  the  west  end  of  the  tomb  ;   and> 


Margaret  and  Dorotky  Vernon.  7f 

unless  I  am  mistaken,  the  name  was  written  Standly  in  the  last  line,  and 
this  made  the  basis  of  the  play  on  the  words.     Is  this  so  ? 

Yours  faithfully, 

A.  P.  STANLEY. 

Margaret  Vernon  by  her  marriage  conveyed  Tong  Castle  to- 
her  husband;  and  her  sister  Dorothy  (who  eloped  on  the 
night  of  her  sister's  wedding,  from  Haddon  Hall,  the  home  of 
the  Vernons,  with  Sir  John  Manners)  conveyed  that  grand  old 
pile  to  her  husband.  The  walk  by  which  the  young  lady 
fled  the  mansion  is  still  pointed  out  as  "  Dorothy  Vernon's, 
walk." 

All  Haddon  is  fragrant  with  the  memory  of  one  fair  woman  Dorothy 
Vernon.  Her  postern,  her  walk,  her  rooms,  her  terrace,  her  beauty 
beautifies  the  whole  place  ;  the  charm  and  romance  of  the  fair  heiress  linger 
yet  round  every  part  of  Haddon.  She  was  daughter  of  Sir  Geo.  Vernon,. 
King  of  the  Peak,  died  1565,  the  year  that  Mary  Queen  of  Scots  married 
the  ill-fated  Lord  Darnley.  Dorothy  loved  one  whom  her  father  did  not 
approve,  and  she  determined  to  elope.  And  now  we  must  fill  in  fancy  the 
long  gallery  of  Haddon  Hall  with  the  splendour  of  a  revel,  and  the  stately 
joy  of  a  great  ball  in  the  time  of  Queen  Elizabeth.  In  the  midst  of  mirth 
and  excitement,  while  "  noble  lords  and  stately  dames  step  in  the  courtly 
dance,"  the  fair  young  daughter  of  the  house  steals  unobserved  away.  She 
isues  from  her  door,  and  her  light  feet  fly  with  tremulous  speed  along  the 
darkling  terrace,  till  they  reach  a  postern  gate  in  the  wall,  which  opens. 
Someone  is  waiting  eagerly  for  her,  with  swift  horses,  — young  Sir  John- 
Manners,  second  son  of  the  House  of  Rutland.  The  lovers  mount  and  ride 
rapidly  away,  and  so  Dorothy  Vernon  transfers  Haddon  to  the  owner  of 
Belvoir,  and  the  boar's  head  of  the  Vernons  becomes  mingled  with  the 
peacock  of  the  Manners  of  Belvoir. 

Sir  John  was  second  son  of  Thomas  13th  Lord  Ros  and 

Earl  of  Rutland,  and  was  great-grandfather  to  the  first  Duke 

The  Hon.  (Sir)  Thomas  Stanley  was  a  Knight,  of  Win- 
wick,  and  probably  Lieutenant-Governor  of  the  Isle  of  Man, 
1562.  The  family  of  Stanley, — an  old  branch  of  the  Barons 
Audley,  of  Audley,  co.  Stafford,  in  the  time  of  King  John, — is 
one,  the  conduct  of  whose  valiant  sons  has  contributed  largely 
to  the  glorious  annals  of  England.  One  Sir  John  Stanley  was 
a  K.G. ,  and  in  1406  had  licence  to  fortify  his  new  house  at 
Liverpool  (Knowsley)  with  embattled  walls,  and  a  grant  of  the 


72  Stanley  Family. 

Isle,  castle  and  pile  of  Man,  with  all  the  isles  adjacent,  on  pay- 
ment of  two  falcons  to  the  King  on  Coronation  Day.  It  was 
Sir  Thomas  Stanley's  great-great-grandfather  who  was  created 
Earl  of  Derby  in  consideration  for  his  services  in  the  victory 
of  Bosworth,  1485  ;  and  his  placing  the  crown  of  Richard  III. 
upon  the  head  of  the  victorious  Richmond  (Henry  VII)  in  the 
field,  is  a  matter  of  historic  record.  His  great-grandfather 
George,  married  Jane,  daughter  and  heir  of  John,  Lord  Strange 
of  Knockyn.  His  father,  Edward,  3rd  Earl  of  Derby,  K.G., 
bore  the  additional  titles  of  Viscount  Kynton,  Lord  Stanley 
and  Strange,  Lord  of  Knockyn,  Mohun,  Basset,  Burnal,  and 
Lacy,  and  Lord  of  Man  and  the  Isles.  This  Earl  on  the  birth 
of  Sir  Thomas  Stanley's  son,  Edward,  1562,  made  a  Deed  of 
Settlement  declaring  that  his  several  manors  and  lands  in  the 
counties  of  Warwick,  Devon,  and  Oxford,  also  Dunham 
Massey,  Bowden,  Rungey  Hale,  ^Eton,  and  Darfield  in  Co. 
Chester,  shall  appertain  and  belong  to  Sir  Thomas  Stanley 
for  life,  with  remainder  as  moiety  to  his  wife  Lady  Margaret  for 
life,  with  remainder  to  Sir  Edward  for  life,  wiJi  remainder  to 
the  Earl's  first  son,  with  remainder  to  the  heirs  male  of  Sir 
Thomas,  with  remainders  to  the  heirs  of  Sir  Edward.  Sir 
Edward  became  possessed  of  all  the  said  lands  on  his  father's 
death,  as  well  as  the  Castle  of  Hornby. 

Lady  Lucy  Percy,  his  wife,  was  daughter  of  Thomas  Percy, 
who  was  created  by  Queen  Mary,  Earl  of  Northumberland, 
but  conspiring  later  against  Queen  Elizabeth,  was  beheaded 
at  York,  1572.  His  father,  Sir  Thomas,  a  lineal  descendant  of 
Hotspur,  and  other  illustrious  Percies,  was  also  executed  for 
conspiracy  in  Henry  VI IPs  reign. 

Of  Sir  Edward  Stanley's  numerous  family  only  two  daughters 
grew  up,  viz. : — Frances,  married  to  John  Fortescue,  Esq.,  of 
Salden,  Berks,  and  Venetia,  the  renowned  beauty,  married 
to  Sir  Kenelm  Digby,  Knight,  the  philosopher. 


Pillar  of  Mary — Choir  Screbn.  73 

20.  Here  was  formerly  an  octagonal  PEDESTAL 
attached  to  N.E.  pillar  of  tower,  supposed  to  have  originally- 
supported  the  image  of  Saint  Bartholomew,  the  patron  Saint 
of  the  Church,  or  perhaps  the  Virgin  Mary ;  it  was  called  the 
"  pillar  of  Mary."  On  the  other  hand  it  may  have  been  a 
pulpit  pedestal.  Until  lately  the  broken  crest  from  a  destroyed 
Vernon  tomb  lay  upon  it. 

Tradition  says  that  there  once  stood  in  the  Lady  Chapel 
("  our  Lady's  "  Chapel)  " a  most  beautiful  sculptured  image  of 
the  Virgin,  but  this  was  destroyed  by  some  Puritanical  hands 
in  the  16th  Century  ;  and  the  pedestal  on  which  it  once  stood 
only  remains/'  and  is  now  situated  on  the  north  corner  under 
the  Belfry  tower,  close  to  the  foot  of  the  Pembruge  tomb,  it 
having  been  removed  there  from  the  Lady  Chapel,  i.e.,  sup- 
posed to  be  on  the  north  side  of  this  tomb.f  In  1892  this 
pillar  was  found  to  be  a  modern  intrusion  of  brickwork,  and 
was  removed. 

CHOIR     SCREEN. 

21.  The  CHOIR  SCREEN  between  chancel  and  tower- 
space  is  Transitional,  of  choice  workmanship  and  design,  and 
in  very  good  preservation  for  its  date.  On  the  side  facing  the 
nave,  the  cornice  is  composed  of  oak  leaves  and  acorns,  and 
the  string-course  or  the  surbase  shews  the  vine  ;  on  the  other 
side  are  birds,  the  vine,  and  other  carving,  the  whole  taking 
up  and  being  continuous  with  the  delicate  oak  tracery  form- 
ing the  upper  part  of  the  choir  stalls.  Only  one  piece  of  the 
trefoil  ornament  forming  the  cresting  of  the  screen  remained 
in  1884,  viz.,  at  the  end  near  the  chancel  door,  and  that  had 
disappeared  a  few  years  later,  but  fortunately  by  the  aid  of  a 
detail  in  an  old  photograph  belonging  to  the  writer,  the  crest- 
ing has  been  faithfully  reproduced.  The  reparation  of  the 
Choir  Screen  and  Tracery  is  a  very  marked  improvement, 
and    Mr.    H.    Bridgman,  of  Lichfield,  is  to  be  congratulated 

f  Note  by  Rev.  R.  G.  Lawrence. 


74  Choir- Screen  and  Stalls. 

upon  his  careful  execution  of  the  work.  The  two  low  door* 
in  this  screen  separating  the  nave  and  chancel  were  removed 
in  1892.  They  were  not  thought  to  harmonize  with  the 
original  work.  Perhaps  they  belonged  to  the  woodwork 
which  is  supposed  to  have  run  across  under  the  western 
Arch  of  Tower,  forming  part  of  the  rood  loft,  and  which 
would  take  up  with  the  two  Aisle  Screens  10a.  and  10b. 

In  the  arch  above  the  screen  are  to  be  seen  the  holes  from 
which  were  removed  the  timbers  of  the  rood-cross.  The  rood- 
loft  gallery  doubtless  extended  from  the  two  east  to  the  two 
west  pillars  of  the  tower-space  ;  access  to  the  same  was 
gained  through  the  doorway  (to  be  seen  over  the  pulpit)  from 
the  stone  staircase.  Previous  to  the  reign  of  Edward  VI. 
the  rood-loft,  or  gallery  and  screen  supporting  the  rood  cross, 
was  a  conspicuous  object  in  early  churches.  In  the  gallery 
the  deacon  performed  part  of  the  public  services  of  the  Church, 
and  at  St.  Julian's,  Shrewsbury,  a  bottle  of  claret  was  placed 
in  it  for  his  use  on  Passion  Sunday  on  account  of  an  excep- 
tionally long  part  of  the  service  which  he  read  from  there. 
Upon  the  gallery  was  fixed  the  holy  rood,  or  crucifix  bearing- 
the  image  of  Christ.  To  our  ancestors  the  rood  conveyed  a 
full  type  of  Christianity,  the  nave  representing  the  Church 
militant,  and  the  chancel  the  Church  triumphant,  and  thus 
denoting  that  they  who  would  go  from  one  to  the  other  must 
pass  under  the  rood,  i.e.,  bear  the  Cross. 

CHOIR-STALLS. 

The  CHOIR,  though  small,  contains  some  original  stalls 
of  beautiful  workmanship,  the  carving  being  well  preserved 
considering  its  antiquity.  They  are  16  in  number,  four  ad- 
joining the  screen,  and  six  on  each  side  adjoining  the  north 
and  south  walls,  and  are  of  the  peculiar  construction  implied 
by  the  name  "Miserere"  (Lord  have  mercy).  The  benches 
are  of  massive  oak,  hinged  at  the  back,  and  when  turned  up 


Choir-Stalls.  75 

against  the  stall  each  exhibits  a  small  half-octagon  projecting 

bracket,  carved  with  floral  ornaments  or  hideous  figures,  in 

very  fair  preservation.     A  verger  at  Chester  Cathedral  thus 

described  the  use  of  this  uncomfortable  bench  arrangement, 

the  misereres  there  and  in  many  old  churches  being  of  exactly 

similar  construction  : — During  the  long  services  of  the  Roman 

Catholic  Church  the   monks  became  wearied  from  prolonged 

standing,    and   these    seats   were   constructed   to  give   them 

partial  rest  without  permitting  the  comfort  of  an  actual  sitting 

posture.      The   occupant   is  supposed   to  stand,  letting   the 

weight  of  his  body  rest  partly  upon  his  feet  and  partly  upon 

this  little  bracket,  and  so  long  as  he  kept  awake  the  little 

bracket  relieved  his  tired  limbs  and  served  him  well ;  but  the 

instant  he  passed  into  sleepy  forgetfulness  his  legs  ceased  to 

prop  him  up,  and  the  increased  weight  thrown  on  the  bracket 

caused  it  immediately  to  topple  over  and  nearly  precipitate 

the  drowsy  worshipper  to  the  floor.     It  is  difficult  to  describe 

in  words  the  action  of  this  peculiar  arrangement,  but  visitors 

may  examine  the  benches  for  themselves.     The  stalls  were 

numbered  in   Mr.    Durant's  time  (as  well  as  the  seats  in  the 

Church),   as  the  following  items  in  an  old  account  book  of 

Heayse,  a  wheelwright  of  Tong,  record  : — 

£  s.  d. 

1806.    G.   Durrant,   Esq.,   paint  and  numbering  the  seats  in  the  Church  and 

Chancel   ...  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..     o  18    6 

Altering  the  Cottage  numbers,  and  in  the  Church         ..  ..  ..  ..026 

Numbering  the  Cottages  at  Tong         ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  „oi6 

1811.     Assisting  with  the  Commandments  in  the  Church  and  materials  ..046 

The   numbers   still   upon   the  stalls   will  be   convenient   for 
reference  (see  plan). 

Detailed  notice  of  choir-stalls  : — 

Stall  1. — Bracket  shews  an  embattled  pattern  similar  to 
parapet  on  the  church.  This  stall- division  differs  from  the 
others,  which  are  single  figures,  in  being  a  winged  male  figure 
holding  a  smaller  one.  The  two  desk-ends  in  front  of  stalls 
1  and  2  are  the  "  barbarous  repairs  "  referred  to  by  Mr.  Petit. 


*j6  Choir-Stalls. 

Brackets  of  stalls  2,  3,  6,  7,  14,  15,  and  16  are  generally 
floral  ornaments.  Stall  4,  a  face  with  foliage  springing  from 
the  mouth  ;  this  stall  must  have  been  the  seat  of  a  Church 
dignitary,  for  above  it  a  trefoil  panel  of  tracery  is"enriched  with 
(1)  Head  of  Christ ;  (2)  an  I  H  S  ;  and  (3)  an  angel  holding  a 
shield,  which  bears  :  a  heart  in  the  centre,  a  key  horizontally, 
a  spear  perpendicularly,  a  hand  in  each  top  corner,  and  a  foot 
in  each  bottom  corner.  Stall-bracket  5.— Winged  half-length 
figure  holding  shield.  Stall-bracket  8,  the  one  upon  which 
most  pains  seem  to  have  been  bestowed,  has  in  the  centre  the 
Crucifixion  scene  ;  on  each  side  is  an  angel  holding  a  scroll. 
At  the  foot  of  the  cross  are  flowers,  and  on  each  side  of  the 
bracket  a  bird — perhaps  intended  for  a  dove.  9. — A  face  with 
foliage  springing  from  each  side  of  the  mouth.  10. — A  large 
bird,  and  a  smaller  one  on  either  side.  11.- — Foliage,  a  little 
more  elaborate  than  the  others.  12. — A  winged  half-length 
figure  and  shield  (same  as  No.  5).  13. — Modern  piece  of 
moulding.  The  desk-end  or  poppy-head  opposite  stall  3  ex- 
hibits two  figures,  and  two  birds  "  crewdling."  Opposite  stall 
8  the  poppy-head  is  perhaps  for  the  Ascension  scene  ;  but 
there  are  twelve  figures,  besides  the  figure  upon  a  bracket 
above  them.  Opposite  stall  9,  the  Resurrection  scene, 
Roman  soldiers,  one  large  figure  sleeping,  three  smaller,  and 
above  them  two  female  figures.  Opposite  stall  14,  two 
figures,  and  below  two  faces.  Opposite  stalls  15  and  16,  two 
figures,  and  below  two  angels  with  shields. 

The  elegant  tracery  of  the  woodwork  above  the  stalls  is 
composed  chiefly  of  quatrefoils,  and  is  nearly  similar  to  that 
shewn  in  the  illustration  of  the  Choir-Screen.  The  numerous 
birds  carved  in  this  woodwork  are,  I  suppose,  emblems  of 
watchfulness. 

During  the  restoration  in  1892  there  were  found  two 
Bishop's  Marks  of  Consecration  on  the  walls  behind  the^e 
stalls,  one  on  either  side. 


WINDOWS     IN     CHANCEL. 

The  EAST  WINDOW  is  a  fine  five-light  one,  with  good 
Perpendicular  tracery,  and  transom  ;  it  is  about  20  feet  high, 
occupying  a  not  exactly  central  position  in  the  east  wall,  as 
before  remarked.  From  north  wall,  3ft.  sins.  ;  from  south 
wall,  3ft.  1  in.  Some  writers  assert  that  during  the  middle 
ages  the  east  window  was  intentionally  placed  nearer  to  one 
side-wall  than  the  other,  in  order  to  typify  the  Head  of  the 
Saviour  upon  the  Cross,  which  is  generally  shewn  slightly  in- 
clined to  one  side,  the  east  window  being  the  principal  light 
of  the  chancel,  the  most  sacred  part  of  the  Church  In  the 
tracery  are  some  remains  of  old  stained  glass,  the  red  and 
blue  colours  being  especially  rich.  The  following  notes 
roughly  record  the  composition  of  the  glsss  until  its  re- 
arrangement in  1892. 

Referring  to  the  lights  by  numbers  (commencing  on  the 
left)  :— 

Below  the  transom — 

1.— Black  and  white  pieces,  chequy.  A  shield  of  deep  red,  in  the  centre 
thereof  a  cross,  on  dexter  side  a  pair  of  rings,  pincers  (white),  a  hammer 
(white  head,  yellow  handle)  ;  on  sinister  side,  three  dice  (white,  black  spots), 
two  spears  (yellow,  white  heads).  These  are  the  emblems  of  the  Passion, 
called  by  heralds  the  shield  of  arms  of  Jesus  Christ. 

2. — St,  Peter  and  keys  (yellow),  rich  blue  foliage. 

3.— Some  Gothic  letters,  and  yellow  and  white  architecture.  A  female 
figure  in  white 

4.— A  shield,  same  as  in  No.  i,  except  that  the  scourge  and  a  bird  appear 
on  the  sinister  side. 

5.— Architecture  corresponding  very  nearly  with  the  arches  of  the 
Sedilia,  and  some  old  English  letters,  same  as  on  the  tomb  of  Sir  Wm. 
Vernon  (d.  1467). 

Above  the  transom — 

1.— Madonna  and  Child,  white  and  yellow.    A  rich  crown  shewing  four 
leaves,  yellow  ;  some  deep  rich  red  foliage,  and  some  blue. 
2.— Mixture  of  white  and  blue,  a  little  red. 
3. — Fragments,  including  a  pieee  of  a  yellow  crown. 

4.  -  Fragments.  Three  spear-heads  held  by  a  white  hand,  the  centre 
one  dark  brown,  the  other  two  light  blue  heads,  brown  handles, 

5.  — Generally  white,  some  black  and  white  triangles. 


78  Ancient  Glass  in  East  Window,  &c. 

Above  these  again  in  the  tracery  were — 

Over  centre-light  (No  3).  - 

Nearly  perfect,  left  side,  a  male  figure  with  scroll,  Gothic  letters  ;  right 
side,  female  figure  in  white,  with  hands  uplifted,  red  foliage. 

Above  light  No.  1.  —An  angel,  white  heal,  with  censer,  and  blue  foliage. 
Above  light  No  2.— A  female  head,  with  white  covering.  Above  light  No. 
4— Mixture,  blue  and  white.  Above  light  No.  5.— White  head,  yellow 
halo;  some  black  and  white  squares,  chequy. 

The  same  glass  is  now  arranged  thus  : — 
Below  the  transom  — 

1.  -  Plain. 

2.  •  Fragments. 
3.-  Ditto. 

4. — Holy  face  and  another,  probably  St.  Anne. 

5. -Plain. 

Above  the  transom — 

1.  Angel  bearing  the  shield  with  emblems  of  the  Crucifixion. 

2.  -  St.  Peter. 

3. — Virgin  Mary  and  Child. 

4.— St.  Edmund  King  and  Martyr. 

5.— Similar  to  No.  1. 

In  the  10  panels  of  tracery  immediately  above  are  : — 

1,  4.  7  and  10.     Emblems  of  the  Four  Evangelists. 

2  and  3.  -  (Larger).     The  latter  is  St  Mary  Magdalene. 

5.— Unknown. 

6.— The  Angel  Gabriel. 

8.— The  Virgin  Mary. 

9. — Probably  Salome  and  another  Holy  Woman. 

Of  the  OTHER  WINDOWS  in  CHANCEL  there  are  two 
in  the  north  wall,  each  having  three  lights,  with  Perpendi- 
cular tracery.  And  in  the  south  wall  three  three-lighted 
windows  with  good  Perpendicular  tracery,  the  centre  one 
being  over  the  priest's  door.*  The  graceful  black  and  white 
flower  to  be  seen  in  little  corners  of  the  tracery  of  these  win- 
dows is  undoubtedly  of  Early  Fifteenth  Century  date, 

*  Mr.  Ejton  records  that  in  1663  "the  South  window  of  chancel"  contained  arms  as 
follow  :— I.  -  Barry  of  6  or  and  az  i  Pembruge)  impaling  Barry  of  6  or  and  az.  on  a  bend  gu. 
three  roses  arg.  (Lingen).  II.-  Pembruge).  III.  -(Lingen).  IV.  -Gu.  a  lion  rampant, 
(Fitzalan).  V.  -Arg.  fretty  sa.  (Vernon).  VI.—  Arg.  fretty  sa.,  a  canton  gu.,  (Vernon). 
VII.—  At.  two  pipes  between  nine  cross  crosslets  or  (Pype).  VIII. — Az.  a  bend  arg.  cotized 
between  six  martlets  or  (De  la  Bere). 

And  "  the  North  window  of  chancel "— I.— Arg.  fretty  gu.  with  a  bezant  on  each  joint  of 
the  fretty  iTrussel),  empaling  or  a  lion  rampant  sa.  (Ludlow).  II. — (Ludlow)  empaling 
(Lingen).  III.  —  (Ludlow)  empaling  arg.  fretty  sa.  a  canton  yw.,  (Vernon).  IV.  (Lingen). 
V.-  (Pembruge).  VI.— (Pembruge)  empaling  (Lingen).  V 11.— Arg.  fretty  ta.  a  canton  gu. 
(Vernon)  impaling  [blank]    VIII.— (De  la  Bere)  empaling  gu.fa.  lion  rampant  or: 


WlLLOUGHBY    MONUMENT,    No.     22.  79 

22.  By  the  commuunion  rail  and  formerly  bordered  with 
fossil  marble,  but  now  with  tiles,  was  the  black  marble  slab 
with  arms  and  supporters  thereon,  to  the  memory  of  the 
Hon.  HENRY  WlLLOUGHBY,  youngest  son  of  Sir 
Thomas,  afterwards  in  (171 2),  created  Lord  Middleton  of 
Middleton,  who  had  served  in  six  several  Parliaments  during 
the  reigns  of  King  William  and  Queen  Anne.  Mr.  Wil- 
loughby  died  in  1734  at  Tong  Castle,  of  which  he  was  tenant- 
The  slab,  which  was  much  worn,  is  now  moved  for  protection 
nearer  to  the  north  wall  of  the  choir  :  the  arms  are  plainly  to 
be  seen,  viz.  :— Quarterly  for  Willoughby  of  Parham  andWil- 
loughby  of  Middleton,  with  supporters  a  grey  friar  and  a 
savage,  and  the  excellent  motto  "  Truth  without  fear/'  The 
inscription  is  too  indistinct  to  give  a  verbatim  copy,  but  below 
the  name  are  some  lines  which  have  been  preserved  : — 

His  aoble  soul  and  truly  generous  mind, 

In  acts  of  goodness  both  were^mconfined; 

His  charity  was  free  and  private  too, 

By  proper  objects  felt  but  known  to  few. 

His  hospitality  the  poor  did  share, 

Relieved  the  widow,  dried  the  orphan's  tear ; 

Pride  with  its  lures  and  vain  attempting  art, 

Hateful  to  sight,  was  absent  from  his  heart— 

A  friend  he  was  most  worthy  and  sincere, 

There  did  the  lustre  of  the  friend  appear  ; 

And  as  his  merits  justly  claimed  a  name 

Inscribed  in  annals  of  immortal  fame, 

In  his  just  praise  to  latest  times  be  it  said, 

That  all  who  living  knew  him,  mourn'd  him  dead. 

This  vault  was  opened  July  3,  1891,  when  it  was  found  to 
contain  only  one  coffin,  bearing  the  plate  of  arms,  with  a 
martlet  for  difference,  agreeing  with  the  slab. 

23.  On  the  south  wall  of  the  chancel,  immediately  above 
the  altar  rails,  is  the  mural  MONUMENT  partly  of  alabaster 
and  partly  of  marble  and  stone,  to  MRS.  WYLDE,  with 
female  figure  in  Elizabethan  costume,  kneeling  beside  a  table. 
Length  of  monument,  6tt.  6in.  ;  width,  3ft.  3m.  Inscrip, 
tion  : — 


80  Mrs.  Ann  Wylde  nee  Harries,  d.   1624. 

HERE  LYETH  THE  BODY  OF  ANN  WYLDE  LATE  WIFE  OF  JOHN  WYLDE 
OF  DR01TVVYTCH  IN  THE  COVNTY  OF  WORCESTER  ESQR  ELDEST 
DAVGHTER  OF  SR  THO :  HARRIES  OF  TONG  CASTLE  SERJEANT-AT-LAW 
AND  BARONET  AND  DAME  ELLINOR  HIS  WYFE  WHOSE  VIRTVE 
MODESTIE  RARE  AND  EXCELLENT  PARTS  FAR  EXCEEDING  HER  AGE 
HAVE  FITTED  HER  FOR  A  MORE  HEAVENLY  HABITATION  LEAVING 
BEHIND  HER  THESE  SPECTACLES  OF  GRIEFE  AND  PLEDGES  OF  TRVE 
AFFECTION  SHE  DIED  THE  6TH  OF  MAY  IN  THE  YEERE  OF  OVR  LORD 
1624,  AND  OF  HER  AGE  THE  16TH  BEING  THEN  NEWLY  DELIVERED  OF 
HER  FIRST-BORNE. 

There  have  been  some  verses  below,  which  are  now 
illegible.     At  the  top  of  the  monument  is  : — 

ad  te  deum  clamavi  (I  have  called  unto  Thee,  O  God;. 

There  are  two  shields  upon  the  monument.  One,  the  larger, 
has  : — Party  per  pale  :  dexter — quarterly,  first  and  fourth  arg. 

on  a  chief  sa.,  3  martlets  (for  ?),  second  and  third  arg. 

a  cross  sa.  (for  Wylde) ;  sinister — barry  of  7  erm.  and  az.,  over 
all  3  annulets  or,  two  and  one  (for  Harries).  On  the  smaller, 
a  lady's  shield,  the  Harries  arms  are  repeated. 

John  Wylde  was  descended  from  Symon  Wylde  of  the 
Forde,  co.  Worcester,  by  his  wife,  Ellinor,  daughter  and  co- 
heir of  George  Wall  of  Droitwich. 

Ann  was  the  elder  daughter  and  co-heiress  of  Sir  Thomas 
Harries.  He  was  an  eminent  lawyer,  Sergeant-at-Law  1589, 
created  a  baronet  12th  April  1623,  and  died  in  1640 — the 
great-great-grandson  of  John  Harries  of  Cruckton,  Salop,  1463. 
Her  mother  was  Elinor,  daughter  of  Roger  Gifford,  of  Lindon, 
physician  to  Queen  Elizabeth. 

Sir  Thomas  purchased  Tong  Castle  from  Sir  Edward 
Stanley  about  1623. 

Among  the  "  prisoners  taken  at  Salop  22nd  February,  T644, 
were  Sir  John  Wyld,  senior,  Knight,  and  Sir  John  Wyld, 
junior,  Knight."  Sergeant  John  Wylde  was  a  member  of  the 
Long  Parliament  in  the  time  of  Oliver  Cromwell,  representing 
Worcestershire.  At  the  same  time  Edmund  Wylde,  Esq., 
represented  Droitwich,  and  was  described  as  a  King's  Judge, 
i.e.,  nominated  to  that  office  and  only  in  part,  or  not  at  all, 
risking  to  perform  it. 


Mrs.  Elizabeth  Pierpoint  ne'e  Harries.  8r 

Mrs.  Wylde's  sister,  and  the  eventual  sole  heiress  of  Sir 
Thomas  Harries,  was  Elizabeth.  She  married  the  Honourable 
William  Pierrepoint  of  Thoresby,  Notts,  M  P.  for  Salop,  and 
called  "  William  the  Wise,"  and  died  in  1656.  He  was  2nd 
son  of  Robert  Earl  of  Kingston,  and,  in  right  of  his  wife, 
succeeded  to  the  Tong  estate  in  1640  ;  was  Member  of  the 
Long  Parliament  for  Great  Wenlock,  Co.  Salop,  in  Cromwell's 
time,  and  one  of  the  Commissioners  to  treat  with  the  King  at 
Oxford,  "  being  one  who  pressed  for  an  Accommodation  with 
the  King  ;  "  while  his  brother  Francis  represented  Notting- 
ham. At  the  Restoration,  William,  as  M.P.  for  Notts, 
heartily  espoused  the  Royal  interest,  and  was  chiefly  in- 
strumental in  getting  rid  of  the  oppressions  of  the  Court  of 
W7ards,  Reliefs,  &c.     He  died  1679. 

In  Carlyle's  Cromwell  Letters,  Vol.  III.,  occurs  the  following 

relating  to  him  : — * 

Charles's  standard,  it  would  seem  then,  was  erected  at  Worcester  on 
Friday,  the  22nd  August,  1651.  About  sunrise  "  our  messenger  "  (i.e.,  the 
Parliament's)  left  the  Lord  General  (Oliver  Cromwell)  at  Mr.  Pierpoint's 
house, — William  Pierpoint  of  the  Kingston  family,  much  his  friend, —  the 
house  called  Thoresby  near  Mansfield, — just  starting  for  Nottingham,  to 
arrive  there  that  night. 

William's  father  was  Robert  Pierrepoint,  created  Baron 
1627,  Viscount  Newark  and  Earl  of  Kingston-upon-Hull,  1628  ; 
his  mother  being  a  daughter  and  co-heiress  of  Henry  Talbot, 
3rd  son  of  Geo.,  Earl  of  Shrewsbury.  At  the  breaking  out  of 
the  Great  Rebellion,  Lord  Pierrepoint  was  appointed  by  King 
Charles  Lieut. -General  of  the  Royal  Forces  within  the  counties 
of  Lincoln,  Rutland,  &c.  ;  subsequently  surprised  at  Gains- 
borough and  made  prisoner  by  Lord  Willoughby  of  Parham, 
he  was  sent  towards  Hull  in  a  pinnace  (or  small  boat),  which 
being  pursued  by  Sir  Charles  Cavendish  (who  demanded  the 
Earl  and  was  refused)  was  shot  at  by  that  gentleman  with  a 
drake  (a  small   piece  of  artillery) ;  the  Earl  and  his  servant 

*  Ex  Tract  printed  at  London  for  Edw.  Husbands,  March  io,  1644J 


%2  The  Earls  and  Dukes  of  Kingston. 

were  placed  as  a  mark  to  Sir  Charles's  shot,  and  were  both 
killed  13  July,  1643. 

William  and  Elizabeth  left  several  sons.  The  youngest,. 
Gervase,  was  a  considerable  benefactor  to  Tong,  and  gained 
the  title  of  Baron  Pierrepoint  of  Ardglass  in  Ireland,  and  Lord 
Pierrepomt  of  Hanslope  in  England.  (See  brass  No.  24  to  his 
memory  in  Tong  Church).  The  eldest,  Robert,  left  three  sons, 
two  of  whom,  Robert  and  William,  became  successively  Earls 
of  Kingston-upon-Hull,  and  died  without  issue  1682  and  1690 
respectively.  William's  elder  brother  Henry,  "  succeeded  his 
father  as  2nd  Earl  of  Kingston,  and  was  created  Marquis  of 
Dorchester  1645  ;  eminent  for  his  learning,  a  great  reader,  and 
well  versed  in  the  laws  ;  in  1658  was  member  of  the  College  of 
Physicians  in  London,  and  became,  as  Anthony  Wood  says, 
their  pride  and  glory."  He  left  two  daughters,  co-heirs,  of 
whom  Anne  married  John,  9th  Earl  and  1st  Duke  of  Rutland. 

Upon  the  death  of  this  Marquis,  the  Kingston  titles  (except 
the  Marquisate)  and  estates  (including  Tong  Castle  and 
Thoresby),  passed  to  William's  grandson  Robert ;  afterwards 
to  his  brother  William,  Lord  of  Tong  1690  ;  and  afterwards  to. 
their  brother  Evelyn,  created  Duke  of  Kingston,  17a  5.  He 
was  father  of  Lady  Mary  Wortley  Montague  (who  became  so 
celebrated  in  the  literary  world),  and  grandfather  of  Evelyn,"4 
last  Duke  of  Kingston,  who  sold  Tong  to  Mr.  Durant  in  1762, 
and  died  in  1773,  when  all  his  titles  became  extinct.  In  1760 
the  Duke's  seat  was  at  Tong  Castle. 

Lady  Harries  gave  to  Tong,  about  the  year  1630,  the  beau- 
tiful and  costly  Ciborium  (see  illustration),  a  sacramental 
vessel  of  the  time  of  Henry  VIII.,  said  to  be  the  work  of  the 
celebrated  artist  Holbein,  and  regarded  by  the  highest 
authorities  on  such  matters  as  unique.  It  stands  11  inches 
high,  and  is  of  silver  gilt,  richly   chased,  having  a  central 

*  He  martied  the  celebrated  Miss  Chudleigh. 


^4^.  ^ 


v* 
ti 


,^*^   e>^    Pj 

,  ^  M  *d  i)3  —   pH 


Ciborium  and  Gifts  by  Lady  Harries. 


83 


barrel  of  crystal  2  in.    deep,  2|in.  diameter  outside,  and  2% 
inside. f     It  probably  belonged  to  the  ancient  college  of  Tong, 

and  held  the  sacred  wafers, 
but  is  now  used  to  hold  the 
consecrated  wine  on  the  high 
festival  days  of  the  Church. 
It  is  described  among  "  the 
guifts  of  that  pious  and 
charitable  Lady  Eleanor 
Harries  (relict  of  Sir 
Thomas),"  as  "  a  large 
Comunion  Cup  of  Gould  and 
Christall  and  cover." 

She  also  gave  the  pulpit 

and  "  frontal  "  (see  No.  36) ; 

besides    these,    "an     ioo/* 

was  given  by   ye   vertuous 

Lady  for  ye  use  of  ye  poore 

of  ye    Parish   for    ever ;    a 

ciborium.  yewer  and  plate  of  silver  ;  a 

cloth  for  ye  com'un  table  of  Diaper  ;  a  pulpit  cloth  of  black  for 

funeralls;   a  black  cloth  for  ye  bier  at  all  funeralls.'' 

In  May,  1645,  Tong  Castle  was  one  of  the  garrisons  of 
Salop  ;  and  the  following  other  notes  of  it,  about  that  time, 
occur  : — 

"  First  the  King  had  it ;  then  the  rebels  gott  it ;  then  Prince  Rupert  took 
it  (6  Apl.  1644),  and  put  in  a  garrison  who  afterwards  burnt  it  when  he 
drew  them  out  to  the  battle  of  York." 

11  Prince  Rupert  took  Longford  at  the  same  time  he  took  Tong  Castle." 

"  Tong  Castle  shall  be  speedily  released  according  as  Col.  Rugelie,  Mr. 

Crompton,  and  Mr.  Stone  shall  see  fit.     Apl   16th,  ordered  that  /20  shall 

be  given  to  the  troops  which  is  already  paid  to  Captain  Rugelie,  and  £z  of 

the  rent  of  Captain  Barnsley  and   Mr.  Draycott  in  Barnhurst,  shall  be 

f  Permission  was  given  to  the  South  Kensington  Museum  for  it  to  be  photographed 
for  the  use  of  Schools  of  Art  ami  local  Museums.  The  crystal  was  slightlji  iracmre&in 
1875,  but  has  been  so  skilfully  restored  as  to  bear  scarcely  a  trace  of  its  misfortune. 


T$4  Tong  Castle  and  the  Civil  Wars. 

allowed  to  commanders  and  officers,  a  gratuity  only  to  those  commanders, 
officers,  and  troops,  that  did  so  good  service  in  the  release  of  Tong  Castle." 

Old  Vicars  relates  :— "  That  Captain  Stone,  governor  of  Eccleshall  Castle, 
having  intelligence  that  the  garrison  of  Tongue  Castle  were  abroad,  fell 
upon  them  with  a  party  of  horse,  slew  many  of  their  officers,  took  prisoner 
the  Governor  of  the  Castle,  and  200  private  soldiers."* 

Symond's  Diary  gives : — "  Saturday,  May  17th,  1645.  His  Majestie 
marched  by  Tong,  Salop  ;  a  faire  Church,  the  windows  much  broken, f  yet 
divers  ancient  coates  of  armes  remaine.  A  faire  old  Castle  near  this 
Church  called  Tong  Castle,  belonging  to  Pierpoint  this  18  years  :  it  was 
the  ancient  seat  of  Stanley,  who  came  to  it  by  marrying  Vernon  of  the  Peak 
at  Haddon.     Thence  through  Newport." 

u  Upon  [the  Parliament]  taking  Shrewsbury,  the  enemy  quitted  and 
burned  Leahall  and  Tonge  Castle."  J 

24.  In  the  Chancel  floor  is  a  small  BRASS,  about  a  foot 
square,  let  into  the  tile  floor,  bearing  this  inscription  : — 

THE    RT.    HONBLE.    GERVAS,    LORD    PIERPOINT 

BARON  PIEREPONT  OF  HANSLOP,  COUNTY  BUCKS 

AND  BARON  PIEREPONT  OF  ARGLAS  IN  THE  KINGDOM  OF  IRELAND 

DEPARTED  THIS  LIFE  MAY  THE  22D  1715  IN  YE  66  YEAR  OF  HIS  AGE. 

This  brass  was  until  recently  in  the  centre  of  the  floor,  but 
is  now  placed  near  the  North  Wall.  It  commemorates 
Gervase,  Lord  Pierrepoint,  who  gave  to  Tong  the  valuable 
library  now  in  the  Vestry.  A  lead  plate  on  a  coffin  beneath, 
found  in  1892,  had  this  inscription,  "  The  Right  Honble. 
Jervos,  Lord  Pierpont,  died  May  22nd,  1715."  (See  No.  35, 
under  Library).  He  married  Lucy,  daughter  of  Sir  John 
Pelham  of  Sussex,  and  had  one  only  child,  Elizabeth,  who 
pre-deceased  him,  and  on  the  north  wall  of  the  chancel  is  a 
marble  tablet,  of  which  the  lower  part  and  inscription  appear 
to  be  to  her  memory.     (See  No.  31). 

WITHIN  THE  ALTAR  RAILS  a  handsome  new  floor 
and  steps  have  been  put.  The  old  flooring  tiles  have  been 
removed,  and  the  few  which  could  be  re-used  are  laid  in  the 
Vernon  Chantry.     Some  were  "  chequy,"  corresponding  with 

*  Ex  Hulberts  Shropshire. 

f  If  the  Church  was  garrisoned  as  an  outpost  to  the  Castle,  it  seems  astonishing  that 
more  damage  was  not  done. 
%  History  of  Shrewsbury,  p.  39. 


5?x 


fern  Imto  Isrig  mierrrilJHfcre  feotoe  rrf  MliamSM; 

-  fmatoniafrof  ftf&Mr  lafites  sliinnYiaiiiTrHiiD  ° 

i)  nrr  of  Srr3a5u  Sfeffft^hra  foroffetae  of 
lanfto  fcaij&tf .  Sbijf  JUio  ton .  mo 

aiidteDHjMtDljis  pijnre  in  qmrt  tpme  of  pear?* 
Bui  iibra  tjis  conrfe  on  eartfjrV  IfairfuIlfilOr 
^tjriorbe  oftocrplblp  ttora  tnfrljimreleali' 
Mb  to  bis  fcmaftome ttjen  big  faulr  frfr  call 
|i5  botrpf  to  onft  T?rturnfDifi?aratol}fnff  uf  catof 
(jfetjir ge  rapfr  aaanur  ijMkrillfo  fcrp  celeff  tall 

-  (Jbljerr  bofipp  am*  fonle  Otjall  etier  prapfr  I)ia  namr 


^ 


Tomb  No.  28.— William  Skeffington,  Esq. 


The  Skeffington  Tablets.  85 

fragments  in  the  east  window;  others  were  quatrefoils,  an 
eagle  (yellow  on  red),  a  man  with  sword  and  shield  defending 
himself  against  some  animal ;  some  Gothic  letters  were  on 
two  tiles,  and  there  were  other  designs.  Size  4^in  square- 
There  are  two  old  carved  oak  CHAIRS.  The  one  on  the 
south  side  has  the  letters  I.H.  upon  it. 

25.  The  ALTAR  is  of  wood.  It  was  until  1892  of 
alabaster,  and  a  part  of  the  very  rich  tomb  to  Richard  Vernon, 
Esquire  (see  under  the  pulpit,  No.  17),  to  which  it  has  been 
restored.  The  new  altar  cloth,  worked  by  the  Sisters  of  St. 
Margaret's  East  Grinstead,  is  a  handsome  piece  of  needle- 
work, with  designs  of  the  Holy  Lamb,  and  the  knives  of  St. 
Bartholomew.  It  was  exhibited  at  the  Church  Congress  Ex- 
hibition at  Folkestone. 

26.  The  SEDILIA,  in  the  south  wall,  comprise  three 
stone  stalls  with  depressed  trefoiled  heads.  These  seats  were 
for  the  use  of  the  Priest,  Deacon,  and  Sub-Deacon. 

27.  The  PISCINA,  in  the  south  wall,  is  a  holy-water 
basin,  carved  in  stone  upon  a  half-octagon  stone  bracket ; 
there  is  a  recess,  and  at  each  of  its  two  inner  corners  is  a 
circular  shaft  supporting  a  small  shelf.  This  basin  was  for 
the  purpose  of  receiving  the  water  used  by  the  priest,  which 
sank  through  an  opening  into  the  rubble  of  the  wall,  and  was 
then  lost,  a  method  to  prevent  the  water  from  being  applied 
afterwards  to  any  sacrilegious  purpose. 

28  &  29.  The  SKEFFINGTON  TABLETS  to  a  mother 
and  son,  in  the  east  wall  of  the  chancel,  are  of  Purbeck  marble, 
each  bearing  plates  of  copper,  inlaid  with  silver  for  colour. 
Over  these  tablets  in  the  East  Wall  are  shallow  recesses, 
where  there  appear  to  have  been  panels  of  a  date  anterior  to 
these  tablets,  probably  having  carvings  worked  in  as  part  of 
the  original  walling. 


®6  The  Skeffington  Tablets. 

28.  The  one  on  the  south  side  of  the  east  window  com- 
memorates WILLIAM  SKEFFINGTON,  Esq.,  late  of  the 
41  White  Ladies." 

The  centre  plate  bears  the  following  quaint  lines  : — 
5^ere  unisex  IgetJ  interred  tl)e  izoboe  of  William  &keattxj$ton, 
late  of  tfje  TOfjttc  3£abies  (Esquire  sonne  atto  fjeire  of  &ir 
3o\)n  JSkefEmrtort  sometime  of  3Lonbo'  H&nishtt. 
©Wit  &u'o  b'm  1550. 

&n  esquier  Ije  mas  tirjljte  Jjarbge  to  tfje  fealbe 
$fab  fattfjfull  to  fjts  ^rgnce  in  quiet  tgme  of  peace 
But  tn^en  Tjfgs  course  ou  eattfje  fje  fjab  fululbe 
Clje  3Lorb  of  OToclblg  moes  bib  Jim  release 
$Uib  to  Ijis  fciujjbome  tljen  Jjtg  soule  bib  call 
His  fcobge  to  bust  returneb  from  faience  ot  came 
TOfjicf)  ragse  ajjaune  fje  mill  to  3fog  celestiall 
OTljere  boboe  aub  soule  sljall  eoer  pragse  Ijis  name. 

The  upper  plate  bears  his  arms,  viz. : — Quarterly  of  six 
pieces,  ist  Arg.  three  bulls'  heads  erased,  sa.,  2  and  1 
(Skeffington).     2nd.  Azure,  a  bend  cotised  between  six  mullets 

or  (Ouldbeif).     3rd three  ravens,  two  and  one  (  ) 

qXh.Arg.,  a  fesse  dancette-e between  three  crescents, 

gu.,  1  and  1  (Doyle).  5th.  Ermine,  a  bend  az.  (Inglish). 
6th.  Ermine,  on  a  chief  indented^.,  three  escallops  or  (Child) 
In  the  fesse  point  a  crescent  for  difference.  Crest,  upon  a 
wreath,  a  mermaid  proper,  with  comb  and  mirror  or. 

On  the  lowest  plate  are  the  letters — 

G 
R  S  T 

upon  a  lozenge  ;  and  this  inscription : — 

Posuerunt  ^ietatis  fEonumentum. 
29.     On  the  north  side  of  the  east  window   is  a  similar 
tablet  to  LADY  DAUNSEY  (mother  of  Wm.  Skeffington, 
Esq.),  with  brass  plates. 


•fepFf  tafirr  ftjefb  tnf  mrfr  -fije  feoirtr  of  Seocof  slf>abetti  ■ 
*$aimfexj  Oifcraoefr-of'fljf  tjcnlTr  j%  ftarilB  of  p'pprfefa 
ftrfl  raaneO  to  sir3otra  sftpffinsion  topfe 
fomtpmp  stjfritfr  of  HonOSa after aameD 
tos'^afoa  SalmCaxi  foin'i#f$bijt  fffan  1549. 

Jitiouo^trirtup^rarr  Oi^mtiji^  ttnaftte  abonnDe- 
/lB&U3eI%r9iiJoall'ttn'a\i30^'S)X!f  JlaOi>«C)i(>  purrCCf  # 
Brt  tuotb  w  unf  en&p  tjer  praxCe'  6xh  more  r  ptoim&e 
ttjenfeit^ie  m  Mm  sljrift  liriflj  laba*  floOlmwi 
#n  rif  to  blpfra  lum^tolamrt&f  \5oas 
€n  poor?  afvetifr  sf  feHitne  fn  ecgr  Deare 
btrtbe  Otmouw^telouf&toolorlfe  0%  totupas 
•'Jo  place  appointed  bu  tfjeloj.te  \^m  blettefrvit  fljal  be 


TOMB  NO.  29.— DAME  ELIZABETH  DAUNSEY. 


The     Skeffington     Tablets.  87 

The  centre  one  bears  also  a  quaint  inscription  : — 

f^erc  imbcr  SLoetl)  intcrreb  tfje  3Sobuc  of  ©ante  ©KjaJwtfl 

©aunseg  biscenbeb  of  tfje  Jause  &  familg  of  ge  peckes, 

first  marrieb  to  Sir  Jofjn  Skeffington  l&mcjljtt 

sometgme  £f}.eruTc  of  Honba'  &  after  marrieb. 

to  &r  Soini  ©aunsag  l&ntgljte.    ©biit  &o  bn'i  1549. 

GE&ougJje  nirtues  tare  bib  in  tin's  OTujfjte  abounbe 
&nb  Mettle  at  mill  t|)is  mortfjie  3Labie  bib  pocesse 
get  notfjinrje  in  ge  mtit  fjer  praise  bib  more  resonnbe 
tfjen  faitlje  in  Sesus  Cfjrist  mitfj  softer  rjoblines 
&n  eie  to  blinb  a  Igme  to  tame  sfje  mas 
&o  poore  a  frenb  ©f  fcgnne  in  ecfje  begre 
Botlje  Ijononreb  &  belooeb  too  for  tfjis  botij  oirtu  pas 
2To  place  appointeb  bg  tlje  ILorbe  inhere  nlesseb  gt  sfjal  be* 

On  the  upper  plate  these  arms : — Per  pale  :  dexter,  quarterly 

of  six  pieces  (as  on  monument  No.    28)  ;  sinister 

three  eagles  displayed two  and  one  (Peche),  and  on 

the  lowest  plate  an  inscription  and  initials  the  same  as  upon 
No.  28. 

At  Brewood  Church,  in  the  east  wall  of  south  aislej  there 
was  in  1680  a  companion  tablet  to  Nos.  28  and  29,  with 
similar  initials  at  foot — 

G 
R  S  T 

and  this  inscription  : — * 

Postterunt  $t'etatts  JHonumentum 
f^ere  unber  Igetfj  tfje  bobg  of  Jone,  sometime  tfje  banrjfjter 
of  Mantes  3Lem'son  (55sq  mfjicfj  3fone  mas  first  marrieb  to. 
TOilliam  Sneffimjton  4£sq,  seconblg  to  William  jFomfce,! 
(gentleman,  et  lastlg  to  ^bmarb  (GHffarb  G£sq.  ©tout  anna 
Bom.  1572. 


88  The     Skeffington     Tablets. 

GTfjfg  btrtuous  ©ante,  infjtle  tfjat  sfje  It'betr  fieer, 
&  goolg  fHatron  Snag,  out  Christ  fjcr  cfjtcf  Ijolo, 
OTfjo  totll  jje  corpse  restore  to  f^caoen's  cfjeer, 
OTfjere  now  l)cr  soule  Tjer  i&airiour  ootf)  oefjolo 
5To  learn  of  life  tfje  course  ano  fatal  race 
^Trjat  mortal  flesfj  upon  tl;e  eartfj  must  run 
Cfje  fofncfj  ootl)  olo  ano  goung  must  trace 
TOfjen  as  tfye  3Lorb  cuts  oft  tlje  tfjreao  ineJl  spun 
The  Skeffingtons  of  Skeffington,  meaning  a   "  sheep  town,"" 
in    Leicestershire,   are   an   ancient    family,    allied    to    many 
Staffordshire  families,   and  in  later  times  had  their   seat  at 
Fisherwick,  co.  Stafford. 

Sir  John  Skeffington,  Knight,  the  father  of  Wm.  Skeffington 
of  White  Ladies,  and  husband  of  '  the  Lady  Dauntsay,'  was. 
an  Alderman  of  London,  Merchant  of  the  Staple  at  Calais. 
By  his  will,  dated  1524,  he  gave  one  third  of  his  property 
"  according  to  the  laudable  custom  of  the  city  of  London  to 
his  dear  wife  Elizabeth,"  and  besides  many  bequests  to 
relations,  friends,  and  apprentices,  gave  divers  sums  to 
churches,  and  a  vestment  with  all  its  appurtenances  to  be  set 
on  the  cross  at  Skeffington  Church.  He  died  1525,  seised  of 
lands  in  the  city  of  London,  and  the  counties  of  Middlesex  and 
York,  leaving,  with  other  children,  William  his  son  and  heir, 
13  years  old  in  i52g,  described  as  of  White  Ladies,  Shrop- 
shire. His  will,  dated  155 1,  gives  ^20  to  his  eldest  son,  John. 
£\o  each  to  his  other  children  not  married,  and  the  residue  to 
Johanna,  executrix  with  her  brother,  R.  Leveson,  Esq.,  and 
the  said  son  John:  proved  at  Newport,  1551,  the  testator 
calling  himself  "of  the  parish  of  Tong,"  in  which  W^hite 
Ladies  was  said  to  be  situated. ;£ 

Edward  Mytton,  Esq.,  of  WTeston-under-Lizard,  an  ancestor 
of  the  present  owner  of  Tong  and  Weston,  married  Cecilia, 
daughter  of  Sir  Wm.  Skeffington,  as  a  large  monument  in 
"Weston  Church  records. 

One  "  Sir  Wm.  Skeffington,  knight,  was  appointed  by  King 
Henry  VIII.,  in  1529,  commissioner  to  Ireland,  empowered to> 

*  Ex  Hicks-Smith's  Hittory  of  Brewood,  from  Ashmolean  MSS. 

f  William  Fowke  died,  18  February,  1558,  and  was  buried  in  Brewood  Churchyard. 

X  Nichol's  Leicestershire* 


Durant  Family.  89 

restrain  the  exactions  of  soldiers,  to  call  a  Parliament,  and  to 
provide  that  the  clergy's  possessions  might  be  subject  to  bear 
their  part  of  the  public  expense.  He  was  a  very  distinguished 
political  personage  in  Ireland,  and  died  in  the  government  of 
that  kingdom  as  Lord  Deputy,  1535." 

JLady  Daunsay's  second  husband,  Sir  John  Daunsay,  may 
possibly  be  the  London  Alderman  of  that  name  occurring 
about  1542,  the  founder  of  the  Daunsay  Charity  at  West 
Lavington,  of  the  Mercers'  Company. 

30.  DURANT  monuments  in  the  chancel.  The  larger 
one,  a  handsome  marble  monument,  has  sculpture  emblem- 
atical of  grief,  Mr.  Durant's  arms  with  the  motto  "  Beati  qui 
durant  "  (Blessed  are  they  who  endure,  or  Blessed  are  the 
Durants),  besides  the  following  inscription  : — 

Beneath  are  deposited  the  remains  of  George  Durant  of  Tong  Castle,  Esquire  who 
died  Aug.  4,  1780,  Aged  46  He  married  Maria  daughter  of  Mark  Beaufoy  Esq  and  left 
issue  George,  born  April  25th,  1776  Maria  born  July  2nd,  1779  who  died  April  24th  17&5 
and  is  interred  in  the  same  vault. 

,  His  sentiments  were  liberal 

His  disposition  humane 
His  manners  polished 
Happy  alike  in  his  mental 
As  in  his  personal  accomplishments. 
In  the  same  vault    are    deposited    the    remains   of    Marianne,    eldest    daughter    of 
George  and  Marianne  Durant,  who  was  born  22nd  November,  1779,  and  died  18th  March, 
1800.    And  of  Mark  Hanbury  Durant,  their  fifth  son,  born  November  5th,  1808,  and  died 
August  22nd,  1815.    Emma,  their  youngest  daughter,  died  in  France  June  5th,  1829,  aged  19, 
and  was  buried  in  the  great  cemetery  called  Pere-Lachaise  at  Paris,  in  a  little  chapel 
built  to  her  beloved  memory  by  her  disconsolate  father. 

The  family  of  DURANT,  which  has  left  such  traces  of  itself 
at  Tong  and  the  neighbourhood,  came  from  Worcestershire,  and 
in  the  Market  Place  at  Worcester  is  still  to  be  seen  an  old 
black  and  white  timbered  house  bearing  the  inscription  "  Love 
God  WB  1577  RD  Honour  the  King."  The  former  half 
of  the  inscription  having  been  placed  there  when  the  house 
was  built  by  William  Berksley,  the  latter  portion  was  added 
by  Richard  Durant,  who  lived  there  at  the  time  of  the 
Civil  Wars  ;  and  it  was  to  this  house  that  Charles  II.  repaired 
with  Lord  Wilmot  when  the  disastrous  issue  of  the  battle  of 

M 


go  Durant  Family. 

Worcester  was  known.  He  was  followed  there  by  Colonel 
Corbet,  a  Parliamentarian,  and,  it  is  said,  effected  his  escape 
by  the  back  door  as  his  pursuers  entered  by  the  front. 

Another  of  the  family  was  rector  of  Hagley  in  the  days  of 
Lord  Lyttleton  of  "  ghostly  fame,"  and  his  Lordship  seems  to 
have  taken  a  dislike  to  his  son  or  nephew  George,  who  subse" 
quently  became  the  first  Durant  of  Tong  Castle,  on  account  of 
some  difference  with  one  of  the  Lyttleton  family  during  the 
time  he  was  holding  a  position  under  Government  in  the  West 
Indies.  It  was  while  occupying  a  situation  provided  for  him 
by  Lord  Holland,  to  whom  he  had  been  on  a  former  occasion 
able  to  do  a  kindness,  that  Mr.  George  Durant  amassed  a 
very  large  fortune  at  Havannah,  and  returning  to  England 
determined  to  locate  himself  somewhere  in  the  neighbourhood 
where  his  forefathers  had  lived,  and  with  this  view  he 
purchased  from  the  Duke  of  Kingston  the  Tong  Castle  estate. 

Mr.  Durant  (about  1764)  demolished  all  but  the  main  block 
of  Sir  Harry  Vernon's  castle,  built  in  1500.  It  was  a 
picturesque  building  of  red  brick,  with  stone  quoins  and 
clustering  twisted  chimneys  rising  above  the  towers,  a  very 
beautiful  specimen  of  the  embattled  manor-house.  Some 
portions  of  Sir  Harry's  building  are  still  left,  notably  the  north 
and  south  ends,  and  the  clustered  chimneys,  as  shewn  in 
Buck's  View  of  1731  (see  page  50).  The  plan  of  the  Castle 
itself  consisted  of  masses  of  buildings  arranged  around  three 
sides  of  a  parallelogram  with  detached  buildings.  Mr.  Durant 
seems  to  have  encased  the  remaining  portion  of  it  in  stone 
according  to  a  fanciful  design  of  his  own,  a  mixture  of  Gothic 
and  Moorish  architecture.  Surmounted  by  its  lofty  domes  and 
pinnacles,  the  structure  is  noticeable  principally  for  its  massive 
and  stately  appearance.  This  is  enhanced  in  a  great  measure 
on  the  church  side  by  its  position  at  the  edge  of  a  broad  rich 
greensward  extending  uninterruptedly  to  its  very  foot,  and  the 
pretty   low-lying   sheet   of  water   winding   along  the  valley  ; 


Durant  Family.  91 

while  on  the  west  side,  just  below  the  lawn  and  shrubberies, 
this  scene  of  marked  repose  rapidty  changes  into  one  of  wilder 
beauty  as  the  two  hurrying  streamlets  burst  away  over  little 
falls  till  they  mingle  in  the  dell  below. 

Mr.  G.  Durant's  son  George  succeeded  him.  He  was  four 
years  old  at  his  father's  death.  His  eccentric  character  is 
indicated  by  the  quaint  buildings,  monuments  with  hiero- 
glyphics, and  inscriptions  alike  to  deceased  friends,  eternity, 
and  favourite  animals,  which  were  then  to  be  found  on  every 
path  of  the  demesne.  One  in  the  wood  still  bears  "  si  monu- 
mentum  requiras  circumspice,"  and  of  others  some  further 
account  is'given  in  a  later  part  of  this  work.  He  married  firstly 
Miss  Eld,  of  Seighford,  by  whom  he  had  a  son,  George  Stanton 
Eld,  who  predeceased  his  father,  leaving  a  son,  George 
Charles  Selwyn,  who  succeeded  his  grandfather,  and  sold  the 
estate  in  1855.  He  never  lived  at  Tong  Castle,  and  died  in 
1875  without  surviving  issue. 

DURANT  Tablet  near  east  wall. 

George  Durant   remarried -September   25,    1830,   Celeste,    daughter   of 
Monr.  Caesar  Lavefve,  of  Lorraine,  and  had  issue  :  — 

Born.  Died.  Buried. 

Cecil September  8,  1831    »ai   March  25,  1832         Beneath 

Celestin     November  22,  1833 

Cecilia January  20,  1835 

Augustine     January  27,  1837 

Alfred    June  7,  1838 

Agnes    May  2,  1840 

The  above  George  Durant  died  Nov.  29th,  1844,  age&  69. 
DURANT  Tablet  near  Vestry  Door  — 

Died. 


Maria  . 
Rose  . . . 
Bell  ... 
George  . 
Hope. . . 
Marianne 
Maria    . . 


Apl.  15,  1833 
Mar.  24,  1838 
Sept.  6,  1835 

Durant  Sept.  24,  1831 

Feb.  14,  1836 

their  mother  Apl.  16,  ; 

their  grandmother   Apl.  28,  1832 

Remarried  to  Major  Payne  and  Colonel  Chapman 
Ernest  obiit,  March  25th,  1846 
JEtat  35. 


Aged. 

Buried. 

33) 

32  [ 

Beneath. 

28} 

30, 
25  f 

In  the 

churchyard 

54 

74 

g2  Hatchments — Elizabeth  Pierrepoint. 

The  Vault  under  the  middle  of  the  Choir  contains  ten 
coffins  of  the  Durant  Family. 

HATCHMENTS.— Over  No.  30  were  until  lately  two 
hatchments  or  mourning  shields  to  members  of  the  Durant 
family.  Jurisdictions  of  Courts  Zeet,  1675,  gives  an  account 
of  "  Trespass  brought  by  Dame  Wiche  against  the  Parson  for 
taking  down  a  Coat  of  Armour  with  the  arms  of  her  husband, 
when  it  was  decided  that  a  Parson  shall  not  have  that  nor  the 
Churchwardens,  for  they  are  hung  there  for  the  honour  of  the 
body  of  him  that  was  buried  there." 

31.  Over  the  Vestry  door  is  a  monument  of  statuary  and 
grey  marble.  The  inscription  upon  it  records  the  death  of 
ELIZABETH,  only  child  of  Gervase  Lord  PIERREPONT, 
aged  11. 

A  medallion  above  the  inscription  shews  a  finely  executed 
head  of  a  lady,  and  probably  not  representing  the  child  referred 
to  in  the  inscription.  There  is  also  some  excellent  sculpture 
of  drapery,  with  a  shield  ;  and  below  are  the  skull,  cross-bones, 
&c,  emblems  of  death. 

In  1763  "  there  was  on  the  north  side  of  the  chancel  a  bust 
in  the  wall  of  a  daughter  of  the  Pierpoint  family,  but  no 
epitaph."*  May  not  the  medallion  be  intended  to  commemo- 
rate Elizabeth  Pierrepoint,  the  child's  grandmother,  eventual 
sole  heiress  of  Sir  Thomas  Harries,  through  whom  Tong 
Castle  passed  to  the  Pierrepoint  family  ?  It  seems  unlikely 
that  there  would  be  no  memorial  at  Tong  to  one  whose  protect- 
ing arm  probably  shielded  the  Church  and  its  monuments 
during  the  troublous  times  of  the  Commonwealth,  and  who 
was  buried  at  Tong,  July  1,  1656. 

*  Ex  Shreds  and  Patches,  Shrewsbury  Journal,  from  the  Gentleman's  Magazine. 


Elizabeth  Pierrepont.  93 

Hie  intra 

Terrestria  Impedimenta 

Praematurius  reliquit  quasi  ad  coelum  Properans 

Elizabetha  Pierrepont. 

Ao.  .(Erce  Chrni.  cioiocxcvii  Pridie  Kal.  Sept. 

Annos  nata  xi 

Puella  ingenii  acuminis  &  Morum  Vrbanitatis 

Supra  ^Etatulse  captum. 

Quam  multa  jam  Feliciter  edocta, 

Nihil  non  si  diutius  Parcae  Favissent  Assecutura 

Parentum  Decus  Dulce  Familiarum  Delicias 

Utrommque  spes  gratissima 

Filia  unica  Gervasii  Pierrepont  Armigeri  Dni  Terras  de  Tong 

Nepotis  Roberti  Pierrepont  Comitis  Kingstoniaa 

Accerimi  (ingruentibus  sub  Carolo  Io  Rege  dissidiis  CivilibusJ  Strategi 

Fidelitatis  suo  Principi  debitae,  etiam  vitas  dispendio  Assertoris  : 

Cui  Genus  ortum  a  Roberto  de  Pierrepont 

Gul'mo  Io  Regi  Expeditionum  Comite ; 

Fratrum  natu  maximo, 

Quorum  etiam  dum  superest  in  Normannia 

Posteritas. 

*  Ov  ys  <£<Aei  ©eo?  y  airoOvrjorKeL  veos. 

TRANSLATIO* : — 

Here,  below,  Elizabeth  Pierrepont  prematurely  has  cast  off  [her]  earthly  trammels,  as 
it  were  hasting  to  heaven,  in  the  year  1697  of  the  Christian  Era,  on  the  day  before  the 
Kalends  of  September  [31st  August]  Eleven  years  old.  A  maiden  endowed  with  a  mind, 
prudence,  and  sweetness  of  manner  far  beyond  her  tender  years  :  How  many  precepts  of 
her  parents  would  she  not  have  gladly  followed  if  the  Fates  had  spared  her  longer  !  The 
ornament  of  her  friends,  the  delight  of  her  family,  the  most  pleasing  hope  of  b6th :  The 
only  daughter  of  Gervase  Pierrepont,  Esquire,  Lord  of  the  Land  of  Tong,  nephew  of 
Robert  Pierrepont,  Earl  of  Kingston,  in  the  civil  wars  which  raged  bitterly  under  King 
Charles  I.  the  assertor  of  fidelity  due  to  his  Prince,  even  at  the  cost  of  his  life:  He  was 
descended  from  Robert  de  Pierrepont,  companion  of  the  expeditions  of  William  I.  the 
Conqueror— the  eldest  brother— whose  posterity  even  yet  survives  in  Normandy. 

Whom  God  loves  dies  young. 

Mr.  Walter  de  Gray  Birch  writes  me  thus :  The  Greek 
line  should  be : — 

*  Ov  01  ©eot  <Jh\ov<tlv  airoOvrja-KU  veos. 

He  whom  the  Gods  love,  dies  young. 

It  is  a  fragment  of  a  poem  by  Masnander,  a  comic  poet,  who 
died  B.C.  290.  Plautus  says  :  "  Quern  di  diligunt  adolescent 
moritur"  a  similar  sentiment.  The  inscription  as  given 
herein  is  slightly  altered,  and  reads :  He  whom  God,  etc. 


94 


Dr,    Bukeridge, 


32.  Over  the  stalls,  between  the  two  north  windows  of 
the  chancel,  is  a  white  marble  TABLET  bearing  the  following 
inscription  : — 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  the  Revd. 

Charles  Buckeridge  D.D. 

Archdeacon  of  Coventry  first  Canon  Residentiary 

and  Prascentor  of  the  Cathedral 

Church  of  Lichfield 

And  sixteen  years  Minister  of  this  Parish 

Died  28  Sept  1827  aged  72. 
In  the  same  vault  are  interred  the  Remains 

of  his  three  children 

Margaretta  born  April  1800  died  an  infant. 

Mary  Elizabeth  born  10  Aug.  1797 

Died  7  Septr.  1810  aged  13  years.  \, 

Charles  Lewis  born  3rd  July  1802 

Died  7  Feb  1812  aged  9  years  and  7  months. 

Elizabeth  relict  of  the  said  Charles  Buckeridge  D.D. 

and  daughter  of  the  late  Richard  Slaney  Esq. 

of  Shiffnal  in  this  County 

Died  13th  Feb.  1832  aged  69  years. 

Mr.  H.  F.  J.  Vaughan  writes  :  "  The  Slaneys  were  much 
«<  connected  with  this  neighbourhood,  having  been  Lords  of 
"Donington  for  many  generations,  but  I  do  not  find  one  of 
"  them  wife  of  Dr.  Buckeridge,  who  married  a  Miss  Durant, 
"and  had  two  children  buried  at  Tong." 


v;v  *a*  •*>  *i>  *i>  ^\  *j>  <j>  <j>  *v*  *v-  *#k 

eA£)  GAS  5  ;  9  2A9  GA£)  PA'-  -  %AD 

GY^  6Y3  GYe)  b  JYc)  SYS 

xV  M^  *1>  <t>  *1>  *-1>  x?>  <j>  V?a. x|^.xt^ ^f^^t^t*. 

VJ>?  Vi>i?  V|v  Vj>?  Vj>i?  Vp?  V{v  vjv  VJv  Vj>*  /{v  /i>  <j>  ^i> 

VESTRY. 
VISITOR  to  Tong  in  1763,  describes  this  as  "  a- 
detached  building,  now- used  as  a  Ve&fry"  The 
massive  door  has  some  carving,  and  in  the  upper- 
part,  three  circular  holes  four  or  five  inches  in 
diameter  (see  illustration)  ;  these  are  too  small" 
for  "doles"  to  be  given  through,  and  although  Mr.  Cole  re- 
marked that  besides  a  church  and  a  college  there  were  along 
the   street    some  almshouses,    afterwards   calLed    by   him  ai 


VESTRY  DOOR, 
hospital,  "  wliich  seems  to  have  a  chapel  of  its  own"  there  is 
no  reason  to  suppose  it  was  a  hospital  for  lepers,  who,  to 
avoid  contagion,  were  accustomed  tu  receive  the  consecrated 
elements  through  apertures  provided  for  that  purpose  near 
the  chancel. 


g6  Vestry  Elcock  brass,   1510. 

The  two  vestry  windows  are  two-light  ones,  and  differ  from 
all  the  other  windows  in  having-  no  labels  or  tracery  ;  their 
forms  are  marked  by  small  sunk  triangles  similar  to  the- 
sedilia.  The  stained  glass  formerly  in  the  vestry  window 
shewed  the  half-length  figure  of  a  King,  very  similar  to  the 
head  of  King  Edward  III.  in  the  great  east  window  of  York 
Cathedral,  date  latter  end  of  the  14th  century,  by  John  Thorn- 
ton, of  Coventry,  glazier.5" 

"  The  Vestry  and  Chancel  doors  have  the  four-centred  arch,, 
and  are  not  later  insertions;  and  these  doors  alone  have 
spandrils." 

33.  BRASS  in  two  pieces  to  RALPH  ELCOCK,  1510. 
This  was  for  a  long  time  in  the  Vestry,  having  been  detached 
from  the  south  wall  of  the  south  aisle  (at  the  spot  marked 
R  E  on  plan).     It  is  now  fixed  nearly  in  its  old  position. 

f^tc  jacet  ffcatrolpffg  Elcock  Celer  cofrate  tatfe  Collegii  qttt 
$atu8  fttit  in  fctlla  Skapforfcfe  infra  gfrmftattt  festrie  qui  ohiit  in 
feato  gee  fcatmne  Firgim's  et  JHarter  %axm  tmi  ttulltmo  ccccc  taBuno* 

Translation  of  inscription  : — 

Here  lies  Ralph  Elcock,  celerer  and  co-brother  of  this  College,  who 
was  born  in  the  town  of  Stopford,  in  the  county  of  Chester,  who  died  on 
the  ffeast  of  St.  Katherine,  Virgin  and  Martyr,  in  the  year  of  our  Lord  on* 
thousand  five  hundred  and  ten. 

The  "  Celerer  "  had  care  of  the  provisions  of  the  College. 

34.  In  the  Vestry  floor  a  small  BRASS  PLATE  bears  :— 

BENEATH 

ARE  ENTOMBED   THE   REMAINS  OF 

ARCHDEACON  BUCKERIDGE 

AND  ELIZABETH   HIS  WIDOW 

ALSO    OF 

CHARLES;  LEWIS,   MARY  ELIZABETH, 

AMD 

MARGARETTA  THEIR  CHILDREN. 

(See  tablet  No.  32.) 

*  See  Carter*  Architecture.  J  35th  November. 


fljir  lacrt  TsaMpFcM  rclie  dfcattfwohrjn 
qra  urfuB  fart  ru  Inlla  Cigpft^Dir  nrfra  coraitem 
crftriF  qtn  obut  mfrfroirrkatmnp  &irgrcha 
A  martrr  axmo  ton  cmltou  f€ff fMimo 


NO.  33.— RALPH  ELCOCK  f  «*  AW  9*> 


Minister's  Diet,  Horse,  and  Library.  97 

35.  The  LIBRARY,  given  by  Lord  Pierrepoint  (see  No. 
24),  consisted  of  410  volumes,  including  many  scarce  and 
valuable  works.  A  catalogue  of  them  was  made  under  the 
direction  of  the  late  Mr.  Beriah  Botfield,  M.P.,  F.R.S., 
F.S.A.,  and  a  very  few  copies  of  it  are  in  existence.  The 
Duke  of  Kingston's  deed  for  confirming  Gervase  Lord  Pierre- 
point's  settlement  of  several  charities  in  Tong  Parish,  recites 
a  deed  of  23rd  October,  1697,  by  which  Gervase  granted  as 
to  dieting  the  minister  at  his  own  table,  and  allowing  him  h?.y 
for  his  horse,  and  keep  ;  and  Lord  Pierrepoint  granted  that 
the  minister  should  enjoy  a  chamber  in  Tong  Castle,  as  the 
same  was  then  furnished  with  books  and  presses,  and  use  of 
the   said  books,    which  were  to  be  inserted  in  a  catalogue. 

Still  am  I  besy  bokes  assemblinge, 
For  to  have  many  is  a  pleasant  thinge. 

May  I  a  small  house  and  large  garden  have, 
And  a  few  friends  and  many  books,  both  true, 
Both  wise,  and  both  delightful  too. 

Also,  the  minister  to  enjoy  part  of  a  stable  for  keeping  the 
horse,  and  place  over  same  for  laying  his  hay,  and  between 
May-day  and  Michaelmas-day  to  graze  his  horse  in  Tong 
Park  without  paying  for  the  same. 

In  "  Heayse's  Accompts  "  occur  : — 

£  *■  d. 

1806.  Marking  Coffers  in  the  Church . .  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..026 

Printing  a  large  board  in  the  Vestry       ..  ..  ..  ..  ..1116 

1807.  Altering  board  in  the  Church     ..  ..  ..  ..  _  ..010 

1812.  Framing,  boarding,  and  making,  and  materials ;  a  coal  and  coak  cupboard 

in  the  Vestry..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..     3  19    o 

Making  a  ladder  to  go  up  to  Libra  ..  ..  ..  ..  ..096 

1813.  NewbottomingtheBierandrepd.it      ..  ..  ..  ..  ..059 

Painting  and  lengthening  double  doors  in  the  Porch  ..  ..  ..176 

Do.  the  Wicket  with  green         ..  ..  .,  ..  ..  .«     on    6 

36.  In  a  glass  case  is  an  ancient  dalmatic  or  ecclesiastical 
VESTMENT  of  red  velvet,  embroidered  and  ornamented  in 
gold  and  coloured  silks,  with  cherubs  in  raised  work,  flowers, 
and  other  devices,  and  four  scrolls,  of  which  two  bear  mottoes : — 

COR  VNVM  VIA  VNA-  (One  heart,  one  way) 


93 


Ecclesiastical  Vestment. 


and  two : — 

VSE  BIEN  TEMPS.        (Use  time  well) 

It  i9  considered  a  beautiful  specimen  of  needlework,  and  is 
supposed  to  have  been  made  by  the  ntms  at  the  Cloisters  of 
St.  Leonard  of  the  Cistercian  Order,  for  use  in  their  Chapel 
(now  called  the  White  Ladies,  and  in  ruins,  a  mile  or  two 
from  Tong),  It  is  said  to  be  300  years  old.  It  was  given  by 
Lady  Harries,  and  was  used  to  a  late  period  as  a  pulpit 
frontal.     Size  about  six  feet  square. 


CAS  CAS  CAS  CAS  CAS  CAS  CAS  CAS  CAS  GAS  CAS  GAS  CAS 
6Y3  GYt)  GY&GYS  GYc)  6Y3  6Y£  GYc>  GYt)  GYc)  GYc)  GYt)  GY3  . 

>K  ^K  ^w|w*>  yjy  4*  4*  *i*  *j>  vl\T  wv  *j>  *<;* 


S  CAS  CAS  G_A5)  CAS  CAS  CAS  CAS  CAS  CAS  CAS  CAS  GAS 
c)  GYo  GYc)  GYc)  GY3  GYc)  GYc)  GYc)  GYO  GYO  GYc)  GYc)  GYc) 

TOWER     AND     BELFRY. 

§M MEDIATELY  on  opening  the  door  to  ascend  the  steps 
the   following   curious    lines    will    be    seen  in  a  frame 
which  formerly  hung  on  the  outside  face  of  this  pillar, 
but  were  removed  by  direction  of  Bishop  Lonsdale. 

1 1  If  that  to  Ring  you  doe  come  here, 

You  must  ring  well  with  hand  and  eare. 

keep  stroak  of  time  and  goe  not  out ; 

or  else  you  forfeit  out  of  doubt. 
Our  law  is  so  concluded  here ; 
For  every  fault  a  jugg  of  beer, 

if  that  you  Ring  with  Spurr  or  Hat; 

a  jugg  of  beer  must  pay  for  that. 
If  that  you  take  a  Rope  in  hand ; 
These  forfeits  you  must  not  withstand. 

or  if  that  you  a  Bell  ov'r-throw ; 

It  must  cost  Sixpence  e're  you  goe. 
If  in  this  place  you  sweare  or  curse  ; 
Sixpence  to  pay,  pull  out  your  purse. 

come  pay  the  Clerk  it  is  his  fee  ; 

for  one  (that  swears)  shall  not  goe  free. 
These  laws  are  old,  and  are  not  new ; 
therefore  the  Clerk  must  have  his  due. 

GEO.     HXRISOlt.      1694, 

Next  to  those  at  Culmington,  the  above  are  the  oldest 
version  in  the  county  of  Salop,  of  the  familiar  lines, 

"  If  anyone  do  wear  his  hat  when  he  is  ringing  here."* 

The  BELFRY  itself  contains  eight  bells,  one,  the  Great 
Bell,  in  the  lower  stage,  and  seven  in  the  upper  stage  of  the 
tower. 

The  GREAT  BELL  was  given  to  Tong  by  Sir  Harry  Vernon 
(Governor  to  Arthur,  Prince  of  Wales),  and  "a  rent  out  of 
his  Manor  of  Norton  for  the  tolling  of  it,  when  any  Vernon 
comes  to  Tong."  A  tradition  runs  that  Sir  Harry  was  once 
benighted  in  the  immense  forest  of  Brewood,  but  the  bells  of 
Tong  led  his  steps  in  the  direction  whence  the  sound  pro- 
ceeded,  and  so  he  reached  his  Castle  in  safety,  in  gratitude 

•  Report  of  visit  of  Shrop.  Archie.  Soc.  to  Tong,  July  8,  iti;8. 


ioo  The  Great  Bell  of  Tong. 

for  which  he  gave  "the  Great  Bell."  Mr.  Cox  (1720),  says 
"the  Inhabitants  here  boast  of  nothing  more  at  present  than 
a  great  Bell,  famous  in  these  Parts  for  its  bigness/' 

It  originally  weighed  2  tons  18  cwt.,  and  measured  6  yards 
round.     It  weighed  41  ^  cwt.  in  1892. 
Inscription  on  the  upper  rim  : — 

HENRICVS  VERNON  MILES  ISTAM  CAMPANAM  FIERI  FECIT,  1518  AD 
LAVDEM  DEI  OMNIPOTENTIS  BEAT^  MARINE  ET  STI.  BARTHOLOM^EL* 

On  the  lower  rim  : — 

QVAM  PERDVELLIONVM  RABIE  FRACTAM  SVMPTIBVS  PAROCHLE 
REFVDIT. 

ABB  RVDHALL,  GL0CEST:  ANNO  1720-  L.  PIETIER,  MIN.,  T.  WOOD- 
SHAWT,    T.    PEYNTON,    ^DITVIS. 

Following  the  precedents  of  1518  and  1720,  an  1892  in- 
scription has  been  added  in  the  centre  : — 

EANDEM  VETUSTATE  IAM  FATISCENTEM  DENUO  CONFLANDAM  ET 
REPONENDAM  CURAVIT  ORLANDO  GEORGIUS  CAROLIUri  COMES  DE 
BRADFORD  VICARIO  JOANNE  COURTNEY  CLARKE-mdcccxcii. 

TRANSLATION    OF     INSCRIPTIONS. 

Henry  Vernon  Knight  caused  this  bell  to  be  made  1518  to  the  glory  of  God  Almighty 
the  Blessed  Mary  aad  St.  Bartholomew. 

Which  having  been  broken  through  the  madness  of  enemies,  was  recast  at  the  expence 
01  the  parish,  [by]  Abr.  Rudhall.  Gloucester,  in  the  year  1720.  L.  Pietier,  Minister,  T. 
Woodshawt,  T.  Peynten,  Churchwardens. 

Orlando  George  Charles,  Earl  of  Bradford,  took  care  that  this  same  bell,  now  cracked 
with  age,  should  be  cast  anew  and  replaced  ;   John  Courtney  Clarke  being  Vicar,  1892. 

The  Great  Bell  was  broken  by  the  Parliamentary  forces 
(the  Roundheads  and  Puritans)  in  the  time  of  King  Charles  I., 
probably  in  1635,  for  in  the  Churchwardens'  accounts  are 
entries*  : — 

1635.  "  For  hanging  the  Great  Bell  anew," 

1636.  "For  apiece  of  metal  broken  orfthe  Great  Bell," £i  12s.  8d. 

1641.    "  Fetching  a  strike  for  the  Great  Hell." 

1652.    "  Peese  of  Rope  for  the  Great  Bell," 3s. 

After  being  recast  at  the  expense  of  the  parish  (as  recorded 
by  the  inscription),  it  remained  entire  until  the  first  Wednes- 
day in  Lent  [Ash  Wednesday],  1848,  when,  while  ringing  for 
divine  service,  it  cracked  through  the  word    "Woodshawt," 

*The  words  "  et  Sti  Bertolomaai  "  appeared  to  have  been  inserted  later,  between  the 
beginning  and  end  of  the  otner  lettering. 


Royal  Visits  to  Tong.  ioi 

probably  in  consequence  of  a  defective  clapper  having  been 
made  to  strike  the  rim  too  near  the  edge. 

Its  weight  now  is  50  cwt. ,  and  diameter  5ft.  2in.  The 
framework  has  been  entirely  renovated. 

The  illustration  is  kindly  furnished  by  Mr.  Taylor,  of 
Loughborough,  the  Bell-founder  who  re-cast  it. 

Once  during  recent  years  it  was  tolled  in  accordance  with 
the  donor's  directions,  viz.  :  when  the  late  Lord  Vernon  came 
over  from  Weston  Park  to  Tong  Church  a  few  years  ago.  He 
was  a  descendant  of  Sir  Harry.  The  visits  of  the  Vernons 
are  now  so  rare  that  tradition  has,  I  suppose,  supplemented 
Sir  Harry's  request  by  requiring  the  great  bell  to  be  rung 
when  "  Royalty  or  a  Vernon  comes  to  Tong,"  and  thrice 
recently  have  Royal  Princesses  visited  Tong,  in  company 
with  the  Countess  of  Bradford,  whose  guests  they  were,  viz  : 
—  on  December  17,  1872,  H.R.H.  Princess  Christian  (Princess 
Helena,  Her  Majesty's  third  daughter),  and  in  the  first  week 
of  November,  1869,  H.R.H.  The  Duchess  of  Teck  (Princess 
Mary  of  Cambridge).  The  old  bell  was  last  tolled  upon  the 
death-day  of  that  much-mourned  prince,  the  Duke  of 
Clarence  and  Avondale.  Only  a  few  months  before  then, 
the  Princess  "May""  had  visited  this  church  with  her 
mother,  H.R.H.  the  Duchess  of  Teck,  and  Lady  Bradford, 
and  was  shown  by  the  Vicar  the  interesting  features  of  the 
place.  Since  then  Her  Royal  Highness — now  gladly  known 
as  the  Duchess  of  York — has  again  been  at  Tong. 

The  following  lines,  which  H.R.H.  once  wrote,  give  us  a 
glimpse  of  her  kind  and  sympathetic  nature  :  — 

If  each  man  in  his  measure 

Would  bear  a  brother's  part, 
To  cast  a  ray  of  sunshine 

Into  a  brother's  heart, 
How  changed  would  be  our  country, 

How  changed  would  be  our  poor, 
And  then  would  "  Merry  England" 

Deserve  her  name  once  more. 


io2  The  Bells  of  Tong. 

In  the  upper  bell  story : — 

The  smallest,  and  probably  the  oldest  of  all  the  bells,  is  the 
one  on  the  south-west  side  of  the  octagon,  "  ye  sanctus  bell." 
It  is  14m.  in  diameter,  and  around  the  upper  rim  is  a  band 
into  which  are  introduced  two  fleurs-de-lis  alternately  with 
two  cross-crosslets,  equi-distant.  I  can  find  no  lettering  on 
the  bell,  but  the  French  fleur-de-lis  and  the  cross-crosslet 
suggest  its  association  with  Sir  William  Vernon,  Treasurer  of 
Calais,  and  his  wife.  [See  Tomb  14.]  The  priest's  or 
"  sanctus  M  bell  was  generally  hung  at  the  west  end  of  the 
nave,  and  dates  as  early  as  the  13th  century.  The  other  six 
bells  form  the  regular  peal,  whose  melodious  notes  are  heard 
each  Sabbath-day. 

Taking  the  BELLS  in  the  order  of  their  dates  : — 

On  the  north  side  of  the  octagon  is  a  bell  bearing — 

PRAISE    THE    LOROD     1533. 

On  the  bell  on  the  east  side  — 

GLORIA    IN    EXCELSVS    1623      W.C. 
(Glory  in  the  highest;. 

The  initials  are  probably  those  of  one  Chalmer,  a  bell- 
founder. 

On  the  east-centre  bell — 

JS&jeetlg  tollmjj,  men  tic  call 
2Eo  taste  an  meats  tljat  feetie  tfje  2oule» 
1605. 
and  a  Latin  cross  with  the  letters  J^.©.  on  each  side  of  it,  and 
a  crescent  and  mullet  outside  those  letters. 

These  initials  are  believed  to  be  those  of  a  bell-founder, 
Henry  Oldfield,  of  Nottingham,  who    helped  to  re-cast  the 
Great  Tom  of  Lincoln. 
On  the  west  bell — 

GLORIA    IN    EXCELSVS    DEO    1636. 

On  the  west-centre,  bell — 

PEACE    AND    GOOD    NEIGHBOURHOOD    A.R.   1719. 


The  Great  Bell  of  Tong. 


The  Bells  of  Tong.  103 

The  initials  are  those  of  Abraham  Rudhall,  the  well-knowr* 
hell-founder  of  Gloucester,  who  brought  the  art  to  great  per- 
fection in  1684.  A  bell  is  also  shewn  between  the  above 
initials  and  date.  The  Eccleston  register  records  a  payment, 
of  two  shillings  for  a  bottle  of  wine  for  Mr.  Rudhall,  bell- 
founder. 

On  the  south  bell,  the  tenor  bell — 

THOMAS    MEARS     OF    LONDON    i8ict. 

Bells  have  been  in  use  since  the  7th  century,  and  were 
anciently  prohibited  from  being  rung  in  time  of  mourning. 
The  "  passing  bell/r  which  in  some  places  still  tolls  for  the- 
dead  (a  note  for  every  year  of  the  deceased  person's  age),  was. 
intended  to  advertise  good  Christians  to  pray  for  the  soul  just 
departing. 

There  seems  to  be  no  bell  at  Tong  with  a  Greek  inscription,, 
as  some  have  said  ;  nor  any  bell  with  a  Latin  inscription  com- 
mencing   "Virgo    regina,"     given    by    William    Fitzherbert. 

A  cornice  of  an  old  screen,  or  perhaps  a  relic  of  the  old 
Gothic  organ  case,  remains  in  the  belfry. 

It  is  a  peculiar  arrangement  that  the  ringers  should  have  to* 
stand  in  the  centre  of  the  Church  floor  to  ring,  but  there 
is  no  alternative.  Their  names  are : — George  Henry 
Boden,  treble ;  Henry  Smith,  second ;  John  Ore,  seniorr 
third  ;  John  Orer  junior,  fourth;  Richard  Bellingham,  fifth  ; 
and  Fred  Haighway,  tenor  bell.  The  great  bell  of  Tong  is 
toned  C  sharp,  and  only  rung  on  certain  special  occasions  : 
it  requires  two  men  to  set  it. 

OUTSIDE    THE     CHURCH. 

37.  There  are  some  rude  CROSSES  cut  in  the  stonework 
beneath  the  east  window  of  the  south  aisle.  This  window  has 
a  sweeping  cornice  springing  off  heads.  It  may  be  the  chancel 
window  of  the  earlier  church. 


104  Niches — St.  Chrysom's  Cemetery. 

,  38.  In  the  buttresses  at  the  north-east  corner  of  chancel 
are  elaborate  NICHES,  which  contained  the  figures  of  saints 
in  early  days,  and  were  placed  at  the  side  ot  the  church 
nearest  to  the  high  road. 

39.  ST.  CHRYSOM'S  CEMETERY— The  burial  place 
of  unbaptized  children.  A  Maltese  cross  of  red  sandstone 
bears  the  well-known  and  appropiate  verses  on  the  side  facing 
the  road  : — 

But  sive  the  cross'above  my  head 
Le  neither  name  or  emblem  spread 
By  prying  stranger  to  be  read 
Or  stay  the  passing  pilgrim's  tread. 

Byron. 

Weep  not  for  those  whomrthe  veil  of  the  tomb, 

In  life's  happy  morning  hath  hid  from  our  eves  ; 
Ere  sin  threw  a  blight  on  thejspirit's  young  bloom 

Or  earth  had  profaned  what  was  born  for  the  skies. 
Derth  chill'd  the  fair  fountain  ere  sorrow  had  stain'd  it, 

'Twas  frozenjn  all  the  pure  light  of  its  course, 
And  but  sleeps  till  the  sunshine  of  heaven  has  unchained  it, 
To  water  that  Eden  where  first  was  its  source. 

(T.  Moore.) 
Like  the  last  beam  of  evening  thrown 
On  a  white  cloud— just  seen  and  gone. 

On  the  side  of  this  cross  facing  the  church — 


H.   M.  E. 

1823. 

CHRISOME,  in  the  office  of  Baptism,  was  a  white  vesture,  which  in 
former  times  the  priest  used  to  put  upon  the  child,  saying,  "  Take  this 
white  vesture  for  a  token  of  innocence." 

By  a  constitution  of  Edmond,  Archbishop  cf  Canterbury,  a.d.  736,  the 
Chrisomes,  after  having  served  the  purpose  of  baptism,  were  to  be  made 
use  of  only  for  the  making  or  mending  of  surplices,  &c,  or  for  the  wrap- 
ping of  chalices.  The  first  Common  Prayer  Book  of  King  Edward  orders 
that  the  woman  shall  offer  the  Chrisome,  when  she  comes  to  be  churched  ; 
but,  if  the  child  happens  to  die  before  her  churching,  she  was  excused 
from  offering  it ;  and  it  was  customary  to  use  it  as  a  shroud,  and  to  wrap 
the  child  in  it  when  it  was  buried.  Hence,  by  an  abuse  of  words,  the  term 
is  now  used  not  to  denote  children  who  die  between  the  time  of  their 
baptism  and  the  churching  of  the  mother,  but  to  denote  children  who  die 
before  they  are  baptized,  and  so  are  incapable  of  Christian  burial.* 


*  Note  from  Hook's  Church  Dictionary;  sent  by  the  Rev.  J.  H.  C.  Clarke. 


Civil  Wars.  105 

40.  The  north  doorway,  and  indeed  the  entire  north  wall 
of  the  north  aisle,  exhibit  numerous  CANNON  BALL 
MARKS,  some  of  which  have  been  filled  up  with  mortar. 
These  are  a  lasting  record  of  the  Parliamentarian's  hatred 
against  the  Church.  With  their  cannon  well  planted  on  the 
old  mound  (now  called  Castle  Hill),  at  Tong  Norton,! 
they  devised  the  destruction  of  both  castle  and  church.  An 
intermediate  earthwork  (by  the  upper  water-carrier)  possibly 
saved  the  castle  from  damage,  but  I  cannot  help  thinking,  as 
before  remarked,  that  the  preservation  of  the  castle,  and  the 
beautiful  monuments  in  the  church,  must  have  been  due  to 
the  friendship  and  regard  Oliver  Cromwell  had  for  Mr* 
Pierrepoint  and  his  wife  Elizabeth.  The  feeling  cannot  be 
mistaken  when  we  call  to  mind  that  during  the  Common- 
wealth, Christmas-day  was  ordered  to  be  regarded  as  a  super- 
stitious festival.  The  holly  and  mistletoe  bough  were  ordered 
to  be  cut  up  root  and  branch  as  plants  of  the  Evil  One. 
Cakes  and  ale  were  held  to  be  impious  libations  to  super- 
stition ;  and  in  1647  Cromwell's  party  ordered,  by  the  mouth 
of  the  common  crier,  that  Christmas-day  should  no  longer  be 
observed,  it  being  a  superstitious  and  hurtful  custom,  and  that 
in  place  thereof,  and  more  effectually  to  work  a  change' 
markets  should  be  held  on  25th  December. 

In  the  churchyard  a  SUN-DIAL  bears — 

THOS:   ORE 
FECIT    1776- 

a  surname  still  lingering  in  the  parish  in  the  family  of  a  lusty 
bricklayer.  Thomas  Ore  was  one  of  the  seven  jury  of  the 
Manor  of  Tong,  who  perambulated  the  Boundary,  as  described 
later. 

t  Mr.  W.  Phillips,  F.L.S.,  cf  Shrewsbury,  is  of  opinion  this  is  an  ancient  Tumulus. 


T>^)^ 


MINISTER'S   LIBRARY   AT   TONG. 

HE  chief  feature  of  the  Library  is  a  collection 
of  Councils  of  the  Popes,  37  volumes,  folio,  in 
vellum  coverings :  "  Conciliorum  Pontijicum 
Decretum  Miscellaneorum  Ab  Anno  34  Ad  Annum 
1623  cum  Indicibus  IV.  Paris  Typ.  Beg.  1644.'* 
The  other  works  are  bound  in  calf,  and  were  chiefly  printed 
in  the  16th  and  nyth  centuries  ;  there  are  a  few  of  the  15th 
and  18th  centuries  also.  Mr.  Botfield  says,  "  The  biblio- 
grapher will  look  in  vain  for  any  work  of  surpassing  interest ; 
they   form,   however,  a  useful   library   of  reference  for   the 

theological    student When   the    means   of 

locomotion  were  few,  and  the  sources  of  information  were 
scanty,  this  local  library  argues  a  degree  of  intelligence  and 
refinement  unknown  in  other  and  less  favoured  districts,"  and 
he  concludes  that  this  was  one  of  the  earliest  to  enjoy  the 
blessings  of  religion,  and  the  benefits  of  learning.  Among  the 
other  books  the  following  may  be  named  as  interesting  and 
valuable  : — 

Augustino  Marlorata.  Testamenti  Expositio  Catholica 
JEcclesiastica  Ex  Prob&bis  Theologis,  1593. 

Beza,  Theodorus  (a  great  Lutheran  commentator).  Be 
Trinitate  Geneuce,  1560. 

Brett,  LL.D.  (an  English  commentator).  Liturgies  used  by 
the  Church  in  celebration  of  the  Holy  Eucharist.  London, 
1720. 

Carleton.  Collection  of  the  Great  Deliverances  of  the 
Church  since  the  beginning  of  Queen  Elizabeth's  reign. 
London,  1627. 

Drexelius,  Jeremiah  (a  famous  commentator).  13  volumes, 
dating  1630  to  1655. 

Erasmus  (a  well-known  name).     7  volumes,  1540 — 1641. 

Gaule,  John.  The  Magicall  Astrologicall  Diviner  Posed 
and  Puzzled.     London,  1652. 


Minister's   Library.  107 

Moulin,  Peter.     Buckler  of  the  Faith.     London,  1623. 

Perkins.  Declaration  showing  how  near  we  may  come  to 
the  Church  of  Rome,  and  wherein  we  must  for  ever  depart 
from  it.      Cambridge,  1598. 

Poss,  Alexander.  Mystagogus  Poeticus,  or  the  Muses'  In- 
terpreter.    London,  1648. 

Stockwood,  John.     Disputationes  Pueriles.  Tunbridgiae,  1606. 

Testamentum  Gr  cecum  et  Latinum  cur  a  Th.  Bezce.  Genevse, 
1611. 

ZTdall,  John.     Hebrew  Grammar.     Amsterdam,  1648. 

The  Library  is  referred  to  under  No.  35.  It  consisted  of 
554  Volumes  and  is  understood  to  have  been  added  to  by  Mr. 
Peitier,  a  former  Minister. 


MONUMENTS    FORMERLY    IN    TONG  CHURCH. 

Near  the  spot  marked  R.  E.  on  plan  was  a  large  red  stone 
to  the  memory  of  William  and  Elizabeth  SCOTT,  who  died  in 
1694  and  1700  respectively.  This  is  not  now  to  be  seen. 
Were  these  of  the  familyof  Scot  of  Scot  Hall,  Cosford,  andTong 
Norton,  otherwise  the  Heath,  Shifnal,  whose  daughter  Mary 
married  Francis  Forester,  d.  1652  ? 

And  near  the  West  Door  were  two  other  monuments,  not 
now  visible.  One,  an  alabaster  slab  to  William  CLAY,  who 
died  in  1735.  The  other,  to  William  TAYLOR,  of  Staple- 
ford,  who  died  at  the  Castle  in  1733. 

Mr.  Abraham  Hare,  of  Bridgnorth,  wrote  the  following 
epitaph  to  the  memory  of  his  daughter  buried  at  Tong.  He 
was  described  by  the  European  Magazine  of  1789  as  "  an  un- 
4t  tutored  son  of  the  Muses,"  and  was  an  excise  officer: — 

Here  lies  the  the  body  of  Lucy  Hare 
Who  departed  this  life  1783  aged  19  years. 


"  In  solemn  silence,  sweet  repose, 
Virtue  and  youth  these  stones  inclose, 
The  sacred  puth  of  truth  she  tiod, 
Death  snatched  her  hence  to  meet  her  God ; 
Eternal  joys,  through  Christ,  to  share, 
Prepar'd  for  ail  as  Lucy  Hare." 


io8  THE   COMMUNION    PLATE. 

Consists  of  the  Ciborium  described  on  page  60,  the  gift  of 
Lady  Harries. 

A  Pocket- Service  of  Silver.  The  cup  about  two  and  a  half 
inches  high,  engraved  with  I  H  S  within  a  gloria.  The  plate 
about  three  inches  in  diameter,  similarly  engraved,  and  having, 
in  addition,  the  donor's  name 

@.  ©urattt,  ftortjj  Castle,  1839. 

A  Silver  Cup,  five  inches  high,  quite  plain,  on  short  low 
stem,  and  apparently  very  old. 

A  Silver  Ewer,  with  dragon-head  spout,  twelve  and  a  half 
inches  high.  Except  a  little  chasing  round  the  base,  and  the 
lid-rest,  which  is  a  cherub's  face,  the  vessel  is  a  plain  one ; 
probably  the  gift  of  Lady  Harries. 

A  Silver  Plate,  about  nine  inches  across,  bears : — "  The  gift 
of  George  Durant,  Tong  Castle,  1839,"  beneath  a  fleur-de-lis, 
his  crest. 

A  Silver  Plate,  somewhat  smaller,  with  the  shield  of  the 
Harries  family. 

There  is  also  a  white  enamel  portable  Font,  consisting  of  an 
octagonal  receptacle,  and  a  lid.  The  former  has,  on  each  face 
of  the  octagon,  a  quatrefoil,  and  rests  upon  four  feet  set 
cardinally.  From  the  centre  of  the  lid  rises  a  cross  (with 
quatrefoil  at  the  intersection),  while  from  its  foot  radiate  the 
crocketed  divisions  of  the  octagonal  lid.  Size,  seven  inches  in 
diameter  ;  eight  and  a  half  inches  high. 

Note. — I  believe  a  few  years  ago  there  was,  in  addition,  a  handsome  walnut  or  rosewood 
alms  dish,  with  fret-work  cover,  and  underneath  it  a  brass  plate  recording  the  name  of 
the  donor.  Mrs.  Harding,  wife  of  one  of  the  perpetual  Curates  ot  Tong. 


EXTERIOR    OF    THE    CHURCH. 

The  following  notes,  from  the  Brit.  Archosol.  Journal,  are  re- 
counted for  the  benefit  of  those  visitors  more  deeply  interested 
in  architectural  study  and  pursuits  : — 

The  ground  had  been  terraced  up  previously. 


Exterior  of  the  Church.  109 

Base-moulding  is  varied  by  breaks,  uniform,  except  at 
Chapel. 

Both  ends  are  finished  with  embattled  parapet  ;  central 
raised  in  two  stages. 

Vestry  is  gabled.     No  parapet. 

Pinnacles,  square  section.  Delicate  embattled  horizontal 
strings,  instead  of  gables  or  canopies,  their  faces  being  set 
cardinally.  Not  crocketed.  Well-executed  finial,  suitable  to 
the  building. 

Nave  has  no  clerestory. 

Aisles  have  no  parapets. 

There  has  been  a  large  pinnacle  at  each  west  angle. 

Central  buttresses  had  crosses,  as  the  sockets  are  there. 

South  porch  is  embattled.     Small  pinnacles. 

Belfry  is  rectilinear,  and  octagonal.  On  each  slope  is  a 
small  pinnacle.  Lower  part  has  the  great  bell,  and  a  window 
of  two  lights,  N.  and  S.  Others  plain,  square-headed.  Doors 
opening  on  to  the  leads.  No  weather  moulding  to  indicate 
that  the  Church  was  ever  higher.  Octagon  contains  the  peal 
of  bells,  and  windows  of  two  lights  on  the  cardinal  sides. 

Spire  at  half-height  is  encircled  by  spire-lights,  ending  each 
in  a  crocketed  finial  or  pinnacle,  those  only  on  the  cardinal 
sides  being  pierced. 

Chancel  is  divided  on  south  side  by  bold  buttresses  into 
three  compartments.  Each  has  a  beautiful  three-light  window, 
the  base  of  central  one  being  slightly  raised  to  allow  of  a  door. 

North  side  is  different.  It  shows  the  Vestry  to  be  a  part  of 
the  original  design.  It  is  nearly  equally  divided  in  two  by 
west  wall  of  Vestry,  to  which  a  buttress  corresponds. 

Principal  mullions  in  Chancel  windows  are  of  the  first  order ; 
the  secondary  mullions  of  the  second  order.     In  the  rest  of 


no  Exterior  of  the  Church. 

the  windows  throughout  the  Church,   the  tracery  is  of  one 
order. 

Arches  of  windows  are  mostly  two-centred,  and  differ  but 
slightly  in  their  forms  (though  less  pointed),  from  the 
equilateral. 

Buttresses  of  Chancel  are  finished  with  a  pinnacle,  and 
have  well-executed  gargoyles,  or  figures  of  monsters,  with 
mouths  pierced  for  waterspouts.  The  east  angles  of  Chancel 
have  each  two  buttresses,  and  double  pinnacles. 

There  are  17  gargoyles  altogether,  viz.,  7  to  Chancel  roof, 
2  to  the  South  Porch,  1  to  the  Golden  Chapel,  2  at  the  West 
End,  and  4  on  the  Tower. 

And  every  house  covered  was  with  lead, 
And  many  a  gargoyle,  and  many  a  hideous  head, 
With  spouts  through,  and  pipes,  as  they  ought, 
From  the  stonework,  to  the  kennel  rought. 

Lydgate't  Boke  of  Troy. 

The  Kennel  means  crenelle  or  loophole.  As  late  as  Henry 
VIII's.  reign,  no  man  dared  to  have  his  house  crenellated  with- 
out royal  licence. 


nr^G) 


TONG     COLLEGE. 


HE  following  particulars  are  extracted  from  Bishop 

Tanner's  notes,     1744 — original    date    1695.     The 

Licence  for  the  foundation  of  the  College  was  in 

12   Hen.  IV.      The    Statutes  and   Ordinances  for 

the  Government  of  the  College,  dated  9  March    14 ro,  were 

confirmed  by  the  Bishop  of  Coventry  and  Lichfield,  27  March 

1411. 

King  Henry  IV.,  in  the  12th  year  of  his  reign,  in  considera- 
tion of  £50  received,  granted  his  licence  to  Elizabeth,  relict 
of  Fulk  de  Pembrugge,  Knight,  Wm.  Shaw,  Clerk,  and 
William  Morse  (or  Mosse),  Clerk,  to  acquire  of  the  Abbot  and 
Convent  of  Shrewsbury  the  Advowson  and  Patronage  of  the 
Church  of  St.  Bartholomew  the  Apostle  at  Tonge  in  Shrop- 
shire, of  the  Diocese  of  Coventry  and  Lichfield,  for  them  to 
have  and  to  hold,  reserving  to  the  said  Abbot  and  Convent  an 
annual  Pension  they  were  us'd  to  receive  of  £o  6s.  8d. 

And  the  said  Elizabeth,  Wm.  Shaw,  and  Wm.  Morse, 
when  seized  of  same,  to  convert  the  said  Church  into  a  per- 
petual and  incorporate  College  of  5  Chaplains,  more  or  less, 
one  of  whom  to  be  by  them  appointed  Warden  of  the  said 
College.  And  that  the  said  Persons  might  assign  to  the 
College  so  founded  a  Messuage  with  its  Appurtenances  in  the 
said  Town  of  Tonge  ;  the  aforesaid  Advowson  and  Patronage, 
as  also  the  Advowson  and  Patronage  of  the  Parish  Church 
of  St.  Mary  of  Orlyngbere  in  Co.  Northampton  and  Diocese 
of  Lichfield  ;  and  two  Messuages,  2  roods  of  Land,  and  4 
acres  o£  Meadow,  with  the  Appurtenances,   at  Shameford  in 


ii2  Tong  College. 

Co.  Leicester  ;  with  the  reversion  of  the  Manor  of  Gilden 
Morton  in  the  County  aforesaid,  after  the  Death  of  Margaret, 
the' wife  of  William  Newport,  who  had  same  for  her  Life  ;  and 
the  said  Master  and  Chaplains  to  hold  and  possess  all  the 
Premises,  and  to  be  a  Body  Corporate  by  the  name  of  the 
College  of  St.  Bartholomew  the  Apostle  at  Tong.  Likewise 
that  the  said  Elizabeth,  Wm.  Shaw,  and  Wm.  Morse,  when 
the  said  College  was  actually  founded,  might  give  the 
Patronage  and  Advowson  of  the  same  to  Richard  de 
Pembruge  and  the  Heirs  of  his  Body. 

King  Henry  V ,  at  the  Parliament  at  Leicester,*  at  the 
request  of  Elizabeth,  relict  of  Fulk  Pembrugge,  gave  and 
granted  to  the  Warden  and  Chaplains  of  the  Church  of  St. 
Bartholomew  the  Apostle  at  Tonge,  the  Town  and  Manor  or 
Grange  of  Lappeley,  commonly  called  the  Priory  of  Lappeley, 
with  all  appurtenances,  and  the  Church  of  Lappeley,  once 
part  of  the  Possessions  of  the  Abbot  and  Monastery  of  St. 
Remigius  at  Rheims,  seized  into  the  hands  of  King  Edward 
on  account  of  the  war  with  France,  and  had  been  farmed  out 
to  the  Prior  of  Lappeley  at  42  marks  per  annum,  free  of  all 
impositions  whatsoever. 

King  Henry  IV.,  in  the  twelfth  year  of  his  reign,  i.e.,  1410, 
granted  the  Licence  for  Tong  College.  It  will  be  well  to  re- 
call a  few  historical  incidents  of  the  time.  Henry  IV.  was 
not  the  rightful  heir  to  the  Crown,  on  the  deposition  of 
Richard  II.,  although  he  had  been  the  principal  means  of  the 
despot's  overthrow.  The  Houses  of  Parliament,  however, 
admitted  his  claim,  and  the  House  of  Lancaster  was  allowed 
to  add  a  large  share  of  laurel  to  British  History.  It  was  just 
at  this  time  that  the  Commons  made  a  considerable  advance 
in  importance  and  authority.  Counsellors  were  appointed,  by 
whose    sole    advrce   the    King   was   to   be   guided.     Various 

*  It  will  be  remembered  that  Sir  Richard  Vernon,  Elizabeth's  son-in-law,  was  Speaker 
of  this  Parliament 


Tong  College.  113 

articles  were  agreed  to  regulating  the  grants  of  money,  courts 
of  justice,  elections  of  knights  for  counties,  &c,  and  other 
provisions  made,  which  were  "  of  themselves  a  noble  fabric  of 
constitutional  liberty."  Justices  of  the  peace  were  first 
appointed  in  this  reign.  Nevertheless  the  statute  book  was 
marred  by  the  Law  for  the  burning  of  heretics ;  and  in  1401 
William  Salter,  a  clergyman,  was  burned  to  death  in  Smith- 
field,  London,  because  he  refused  to  worship  the  Cross,  and 
denied  that  the  bread  in  the  sacrament  was  transubstantiated. 

WyclifFe,  in  order  to  promote  his  views,  had  sanctioned  the 
employment  of  wandering  preachers,  called  "poor  priests/' 
men  that,  after  the  manner  of  the  ancient  religious  orders, 
traversed  the  country  and  preached  to  the  common  people 
assembled  at  fairs  and  markets.  Hence  grew  up  a  sect  called 
11  Lollards  "  (from  "  lullen,"  to  sing  with  a  subdued  voice). 
The  Clergy  held  that  the  movement  ought  to  be  crushed,  and 
so  the  statute  was  passed,  and  the  persecution  of  the  Lollards 
went  on  in  this  and  the  succeeding  reign.  In  the  latter,  how- 
ever, the  King  was  disinclined  to  persecution.  "  Many 
bishops  were  still  accused  of  slackness  in  the  persecution,  and 
it  should  be  mentioned  to  their  hononr.  The  prisons  in 
Bishops'  houses,  which  had  been  simply  places  of  confinement, 
were  now  often  provided  with  instruments  of  torture."  At 
Woburn,  in  the  palace  there  was  a  cell  in  the  bishop's  prison 
called  "  Little-Ease,"  because  it  was  so  small  that  those  con- 
fined in  it  could  neither  stand  upright  nor  lie  at  length." 
"  The  same  law,  which  transferred  to  the  Church  the  power 
of  life  and  death,  left  a  discretion  with  the  ordinary  of  fine  and 
imprisonment  ;  and  frequently  those  convicted  of  heresy  were 
doomed  to  the  sentence  formerly  inflicted  by  the  Church  for 
homicide,  of  perpetual  imprisonment  within  the  wall  of  a 
monastery.  It  is  possible  that  in  such  abodes  they  may  have 
been  sometime  the  blessed  instruments  of  imparting  divine 
truth  to  the  companions  of  their  sojourn  ;  but  if  we  may  judge 


"4 


Tong  College. 


of  the  feelings  towards  them  by  Walsingham  and  other 
monks  of  the  time,  we  may  well  imagine  how  with  such 
keepers,  they  ate  and  drank  the  bread  and  water  of  affliction. 
Others  were  burned  on  the  cheek  with  a  hot  iron,  which,  if 
they  dared  to  hide,  they  were  liable  to  be  burnt  as  relapsed 
heretics ;  or  were  condemned  to  wear  the  device  of  a  faggot 
worked  upon  the  sleeve  of  their  clothing,  in  token  of  their 
narrow  escape  from  burning.  '*  Not  until  the  reign  of 
Charles  II.  was  the  practice  finally  abolished. 

The  writer  has  an  iron  body-ring  covered  with  leather,  to 
which  two  wristlets  are  appended  to  hold  the  arms,  fixed  at 
the  sides.  It  seems  similar  to  the  rings  which  victims  wore 
formerly,  v/hen  being  dragged  on  a  hurdle  by  a  horse  to  the 
scene  of  execution. 

To  the  credit  of  Sir  Thomas  More,  the  pious  statesman  and 
Chancellor  of  Henry  VIII.,  Erasmus,  his  friend,  distinctly 
testifies,  no  man  was  put  to  death  "  for  Protestant  dogmas 
while  More  was  Chancellor  "  ;  though  his  staunch  adherence 
to  the  Roman  Catholic  religion,  and  his  denial  of  the  King's 
supremacy,  as  head  of  the  Church  in  England,  brought  his 
head  to  the  block  in  1535. 

This  period  is  remarkably  interesting  to  Englishmen.  The 
year  which  saw  Sir  Thomas  More's  execution  sounded  the 
death-knell  of  Tong  College  ;  it  saw  th2  first  English  transla- 
tion of  the  Bible,  namely  Coverdale's,  in  1535;  it  saw  the 
commencement  of  Henry  VIII's  great  act  of  spoliation,  the 
destruction  of  the  Monasteries  and  all  their  rich  treasures  ; 
Tong  being  one  of  the  93  Colleges  destroyed.  The  revenues  of 
the  destroyed  Colleges,  Monasteries,  and  Hospitals  (645  in 
number),  amounted  to  ^"160,000,  or  one-twentieth  of  the 
National  income.  The  word  "  protestants  "  was  just  coined 
from  the  action    of   14   cities   and  6  princes  in   "protesting*' 

*  Massingberd. 


Sir  Thomas  more 

{From  a  Painting  in  possession  of  the  Author). 


Tong  College.  115 

against  further  changes  in  religion;  while  disciples  of  Bass  and 
Allsopp  must  look  back  to  that  period  with  tender  regard  as  the 
date  of  the  introduction  of  Hops,  and  the  wearers  of  Mail  had 
cause  to  rejoice  in  the  disappearance  of  Bows  and  Arrows. 
In  1536  Parish  Registers  were  established.  Sir  Thomas 
More,  the  man  of  inflexible  integrity,  whom  no  motivei  could 
seduce  nor  honours  corrupt,  was  the  guest  and  retainer  of 
Holbein,  and  the  famous  drawings  at  Windsor  by  that  artist, 
who  is  supposed  to  have  designed  the  Tong  ciborium,  —  are 
principally  of  More  and  his  friends.  By  his  indefatigable 
application  as  Chancellor  not  a  cause  was  left  undetermined. 
His  character  has  been  much  mis-represented  by  Foxe  and 
Bishop  Burnet,  while  ail  his  contemporaries  describe  him  as 
being  of  a  singularly  amiable  disposition,  and  unaffectedly 
and  sincerely  pious. 

1416.  King  Henry  V.  attaches  the  town  or  Manor  and 

Grange  of  Lapley  in  Staffordshire  with  its  Church 
or  Priory,  and  all  the  Revenues  thereunto  apper- 
taining being  heretofore  part  of  the  possessions 
of  the  Abbey  of  St.  Remigius  at  Rheimes  in 
Champeigne  in  France,  provided  that  the 
Vicarage  of  the  Church  of  Laply  be  sufficiently 
endowed,  and  a  competent  sum  allowed  to  the 
Poor  of  the  Parish. 

1535.     (26  Hen.  VIII.)  College  rated  (valued)  at  ^22  8  1 

1546.  Atthedissolution  of  Religious  Houses, SirRichard 

Manners  was  appointed  Commissioner  for  the 
Sale  of  Tong  College,  and  sold  it  to  James 
Woolrich  for  ^200.  The  deed  confirming 
Sir  Richard's  power  to  effect  the  sale — signed  by 
King  Edward  VI.  and  Lord  Protector  Somerset 
— was  in  perfect  preservation  at  Tong  Castle 
not  long  ago. 


u6  Tong  College  Rules. 

1649.  J.  Woolrich's  heirs  sold  the  College  to  William 

Pierrepont,  proprietor  of  Tong  Castle. 

1763.  Visit  of  Mr.  W.  Cole.     The  Duke  of  Kingston's 

seat  is  at  Tong  Castle.  The  ancient  College 
where  the  Clergy  lived  is  mostly  demolished, 
and  what  remains  is  partly  inhabited  by  some 
poor  people,  and  partly  converted  into  a  stable. 
(Gents  Mag.)  At  the  West  end  of  the  Church 
there  are  Alms  houses  for  six  poor  widows,  who 
have  40s.,  a  shift  and  gown  per  annum. 

1774.  Duke   of   Kingston    sold  Estate  to  Mr.  George 

Durant. 

The  above-mentioned  Elizabeth,  William  Shaw,  and  William 
Mosse,  founders  of  this  College  in  the  year  1410,  appointed 
Statutes  and  Ordinances  to  be  for  ever  observed  in  this 
College,  which  were  confirmed,  141 1,  by  John,  Bishop  of 
Coventry  and  Lichfield,  the  Purport  whereof  is  as  follows  : — 

"That  there  should  be  in  the  said  College  5  Priests,  having 
no  other  Benefices  excepting  the  Warden,  who  might  have 
any  One  of  the  Said  Priests  to  be  the  Warden,  and  the  rest 
obedient  to  him,  and  another  Sub- Warden. 

That  there  should  be  also  2  proper  Clerks  for  the  Service 
of  the  Church. 

Also  13  Poor  maintained  by  the  College,  7  of  which  so 
infirm  that  they  could  not  help  themselves. 

The  Warden  to  be  named  by  the  Foundress  Elizabeth  during 
her  life,  and  presented  to  the  Bishop  of  Coventry  and  Lich- 
field, and  afterwards  to  be  chosen  by  the  Chaplains. 

In  case  the  Chaplains  disagreeing,  a  Warden  should  not 
be  chosen  in  15  days,  then  the  right  of  nomination  to  devolve 
to  the  Patron  ;  if  he  name  not  in  4  months  then  to  belong  to  the 
Bishop,  who  not  doing  it  in  a  month,  it  should  pass  to  the 


Tong  College  Rules.  117 

Chapter  of  Lichfield,  and  they  neglecting  it  in  15  days,  lastly 
the  choice  should  belong  to  the  Archbishop  of  Canterbury. 

Every  Chaplain  to  be  admitted  by  a  majority  of  the  Wardens 
and  Chaplains,  and  to  be  in  the  nature  of  a  novice  for  the 
first  year,  at  the  end  whereof,  if  found  fitting  by  the  greater 
number,  to  be  received  by  them. 

None  to  be  Warden  or  Chaplain  but  a  Priest,  and  of  un- 
spotted life  and  conversation. 

If,  upon  the  vacancy  of  a  Chaplain's  place,  another  were 
not  received  by  the  master  in  three  months,  the  Deficiency  to 
be  supplied  by  the  Bishop. 

The  Poor  of  the  College  to  be  appointed  by  Elizabeth  the 
Foundress  aforesaid  during  her  Life,  and  after  her  Death  by 
the  Warden  ;  not  to  be  removed  again  without  just  Cause. 

Every  new  Warden  before  his  Admission  to  swear  he  will 
faithfully  execute  the  said  office,  and  observe  the  Statutes. 

Sub-Warden  to  take  the  like  Oath. 

The  Chaplains  when  incorporated  to  swear  Obedience  to  the 
Wardens,  and  to  observe  the  Statutes  and  defend  the  rights 
of  the  College. 

The  Warden  within  2  months  after  his  admission  to  make 
an  exact  Inventory  of  all  that  belongs  to  the  College,  and  to  be 
afterwards  accountable  yearly. 

The  Sub- Warden  to  have  the  management  of  all  things 
when  there  is  no  Warden. 

The  Warden  to  hear  the  Confessions  of  the  Chaplains. 

The  Warden  not  to  be  non-resident  above  two  months  in  a 
year,  nor  any  of  the  Chaplains  above  one,  unless  it  be  upon  the 
Business  of  the  College,  nor  ever  to  be  absent  from  Divint 
Service. 


u8  Tong  College  Rules. 

The  Warden  to  appoint  one  of  the  Chaplains  to  have  the 
Care  of  the  Parish,  and  he  to  be  called  Parochial  Chaplain, 
and  another  of  them  to  teach  the  Clerks  and  Ministers  of  the 
College,  as  also  the  Children  of  that  and  other  neighbouring 
Towns  to  read,  sing,  and  their  Grammar,  for  which  he  to  be 
allowed  a  Mark  a  year  extraordinary. 

The  Mattins  to  be  sung  early  in  the  morning  ;  the  Mass  and 
other  Hours  at  their  proper  times  ;  with  many  other  ordinances 
about  the  performing  of  the  Divine  Service. 

If  any  of  the  Poor  be  so  sick  and  weak  that  they  cannot  go 
to  the  Church  to  hear  Mass,  then  a  Chaplain  to  be  appointed 
to  say  Mass  in  the  Chapel  in  the  House,  3  times  a  week. 

Several  Anniversaries  to  be  dutifully  kept  in  the  Church. 

Every  poor  person,  unless  hindered  by  sickness,  to  hear  one 
or  two  Masses  every  Day. 

The  Warden  and  Chaplains  to  be  uniform  in  their  decent 
Habit  in  the  Church  according  to  the  Use  of  the  Church  of 
Sarum,  and  every  Chaplain  to  furnish  himself  with  Habit, 
and  any  of  them  coming  into  the  Church  to  Divine  Service 
not  so  habited,  to  be  punished  as  absent. 

The  Warden  and  Chaplains  to  live  in  a  Community  in  the 
same  House,  each  having  a  Chamber  apart,  and  if  they  speak 
to  one  another  to  do  it  lowly.  The  Warden  to  keep  the  keys 
of  the  outward  Doors  at  night.  The  Warden  and  Chaplains 
to  eat  at  one  Table,  and  the  Warden  to  say  Grace.  Meat  and 
Drink  to  be  modestly  distributed.  One  of  the  Chaplains  to 
be  yearly  or  quarterly  appointed  Steward.  Provisions  always 
to  be  laid  in  at  proper  seasons.  Strangers  to  be  but  seldom 
brought  into  the  house  ;  and  women  never,  though  the  most 
virtuous,  or  at  least  very  rarely,  upon  Extraordinary  Occasions, 
and  if  they  be  suspicious  persons  on  no  account  whatsoever. 


TONS  College  Rules.  119 

If  any  dined  there  at  the  upper  table,  he  who  invited  him  to 
pay  3d.  if  at  the  lower  5  farthing's.  It  Provisions  should  be 
dear,  or  the  Dignity  of  the  Guest  require  it,  the  Charge  to  be 
proportionately  rated  ;  but  if  any  person  were  brought  in  to 
eat,  for  the  Benefit  of  the  College,  the  Charge  to  be  defrayed 
out  of  the  Public  Stock.  No  Priest  to  bring  any  person  to 
Table  above  one  day  unless  it  were  a  Friend  or  Relation  that 
came  from  some  remote  part. 

No  Priest  or  Clerk  to  use  Hunting  or  Hawking,  nor  to 
keep  any  Dog  for  sport,  and  any  transgression  after  three 
admonitions,  to  be  expelled  without  Noise. 

The  Warden  and  Chaplains  to  be  decently  Cloath^d  and 
uniformly,  once  a  year,  and  the  Clerks  in  like  manner. 

The  Warden  to  be  allow'd  10  Marks  a  year  for  his  Cloathing 
and  expenses  besides  Diet  ;  each  Clerk  4  Marks  besides  Diet, 
and  other  profits  for  Obits,  &c. 

Clerks  and  other  Choristers  to  be  allowed  according  to  their 

Ability. 

The  Sub- Warden,  the  Chaplain  that  has  the  cure  of  the 
Parish,  the  Steward, — \  a  Mark  above  their  Constant  allowance 
for  a  year  or  in  proportion  for  a  shorter  time. 

TheWarden  and  Chaplains  strictly  forbid  granting  or  selling 
any  Pensions,  Corrodies,  or  Immovables  belonging  to  the 
College. 

Any  one  consenting  to  such  Pension,  *Corrody,  or  Aliena- 
tion, to  be  expelled  the  College  unless  the  same  were  done  by 
the  Diocesan  for  the  Benefit  of  the  said  College,  or  upon 
some  other  necessary  occasion. 

The  Brethren  disabled  either  by  Age  or  Sickness  to  be 
charitably  maintained,  and  not  to  be  expell'd  on  that  account, 

*  An  allowance  of  food  and  Clothing  allowed  by  an  Abbot  to  the  King  for  the  maintenance 
of  one  of  his  servants. — Halliwell. 


120  Tong  College  Rules. 

but  only  for  crime  committed,  or  in  case  anyone  have  other- 
wise got  temporal  Possessions  to  the  value  of  6  marks  a 
year. 

When  the  Brethren  meet  in  their  Chapter  after  the  business 
relating  to  the  same,  they  are  to  enquire  whether  any  Faults 
have  been  committed  since  their  last  meeting  ;  then,  and  if 
any  appears,  the  same  are  to  be  chastised  by  the  Warden,  or 
Sub-Warden. 

Grievous  crimes  not  to  be  punished  but  the  Warden  being 
present,  unless  he  were  long  away,  and  the  Delay  might  be 
dangerous.  But  if  the  case  were  doubtful,  his  Return  to  be 
expected.  Yet  if  it  were  such  a  crime  to  cause  Irregularity, 
the  Party  to  be  immediately  expelled  as  in  the  case  of  Murder 
or  the  like. 

Yet  for  Adultery,  Perjury,  Theft,  or  the  like,  which  might 
admit  of  Re-admissions,  after  due  penance  performed,  the 
Party  having  made  his  humble  confession  before  the  Brethren, 
to  be  again  restored  If  it  be  Fornication,  Drunkenness,  or 
the  Like,  offender  to  be  twice  corrected  by  the  Warden  or  Sub- 
Warden,  and  the  third  time  to  be  expelled. 

The  same  to  be  observed  in  relation  to  the  Poor. 

If  the  Warden  should  be  guilty  of  such  offence,  the  Brothers 
twice  to  exhort  him  to  correct  the  same,  and  three  times  to 
accuse  him  to  the  Bishop  to  be  punished  by  him  canonically, 
and  if  after  such  Punishment  he  does  not  amend,  then  to  be 
expell'd  by  the  Ordinary. 

If  any  Chaplain  would  of  his  own  accord  leave  the  College, 
he  should  give  6  months'  Warning,  and  if  he  did  not  then,  to 
lose  his  Allowance  for  those  6  months. 

No  seizure  to  be  made  by  the  Patrons  or  their  Heirs  during 
any  Vacancy,  &c. 


College  Rules,  Seal,  &c.  121 

The  Clerks  to  serve  the  Warden  at  Table,  and  to  eat  at  a 
Second  Table  ;  as  also  to  See  Harvest  brought  in  at  proper 
season  at  such  Hours  as  they  are  not  to  attend  Divine  Service. 
Each  poor  person  admitted  into  the  College  to  receive  Diet, 
Cloathing,  and  other  necessaries,  i  Mark  Sterling  in  Money 
or  the  value,  besides  their  Dwelling  house  with  other  profits 
of  the  Gift  of  the  Faithful. 

A  Lamp  to  be  kept  burning  before  the  High  Altar,  and 
Candles  to  be  furnished  for  the  Divine  Service,  &c. 

The  College  to  have  a  Common  Seal  for  their  Common 
Business,  with  the  Image  of  St.  Bartholomew  the  Apostle,  as 
also  that  of  a  Knight  on  one  side,  and  a  Lady  on  the  other, 
kneeling,  and  the  Coat  of  Arms  of  Fulk  Pembrugge,  Knight, 
and  of  his  wife  Elizabeth,  the  Foundress,  in  the  same  Seal, 
under  the  feet  of  the  aforesaid  Apostle,  and  about  the  same 
written,  "  The  Common  Seal  of  St.  Baitholomew  at  Tonge." 
The  same  to  be  kept  under  two  different  Keys  in  a  Chest  with 
the  Writings  and  Treasure  of  the  College. 

The  above  Statutes  and  Ordinances,  dated  2  March,  1410, 
for  the  Government  of  the  College,  were  very  salutary  and 
severe. 

^50  equal  to  a  large  sum  of  present  money. 

"  Shaw,"  a  name  still  applied  to  some  of  the  richest 
land  in  Tong  Parish,  in  fact  the  "  Shaw  Lane  "  where  there 
are  some  old  Cottages,  is  called  by  "the  oldest  inhabitant  " 
"  The  Prior's  Road."  Fancy  pictures  "  the  Rev.  William 
Shaw  "  sitting  with  a  fellow  warden  upon  the  rude  old  stone 
seat  now  remaining  in  the  middle  of  the  Shawfield.  Shaw 
itself  means  a  wood,  or  cover,  a  shady  place, 

Welcom  quod  he  and  every  good  felaw 
Whider  ridest  thou  under  this  greene  shaw? 

The  immense  elms,  which  lately  stood  in  the  Shawfield, 
testify  to  the  good  qualities  of  the  soil  for  tree  or  herbage. 


122 


Tong  College,   Site,  and  Grange. 


Two  Cbrks  being  mentioned  show  that  even  thus  early  the 
people  of  Tong  had  exceptional  religious  facilities. 

A  worthy  clerk,  as  proved  by  his  wordes  and  his  werk„ 
He  is  now  ded,  and  nailed  in  his  cheste, 
I  pray  to  God  to  yeve  his  soule  reste. 


Castfe 


Home  Sha» 


Con&ree      Me3idow         Tow„  Mea.do# 


Tong  College  is  the  building  shewing/ 
three  sides  of  a  square. 


Map  made  for  Evelyn,  Duke  of  Kingston,  in  1739. 

The  exact  position  of  the  College  is  shewn  by  the  sketch 
which  I  have  taken  (by  the  kindness  of  the  late  Mr.  Fisher,  of 
Newport,  Salop)  from  a  Map  dated  1739,  when  the  ancient  build- 


Tong  College  Inmates.  123 

ing  was  still  in  existence.     In    1887,   a  dry  summer,  the  lines 
of  the  foundations  could  be  traced  in  the  grass. 

The  "  Town  of  Tong"  is  a  high-sounding  title,  certainly 
not  borne  out  by  our  present  knowledge  of  it.  We  may,  how- 
ever, easily  understand  the  place  to  have  been  of  considerable 
importance  ;  firstly,  it  had  a  Royal  Grant  of  a  Fair  on  the  Eve- 
Day  and  morrow  of  St  Bartholomew  the  Apostle  (24  Aug. ) 
secondly,  the  holding  of  the  Manorial  Court  and  View  of  frank 
pledge  ;  and  thirdly,  from  being  the  centre  of  religious  zeal 
and  means  of  diffusion  of  knowledge,  its  body  corporate 
possessing  other  towns  and  manors  affiliated  to  it  and  in- 
creasing its  income,  while  the  Grange  or  monastic  farm  at 
Lizard,  and  possibly  others,  managed  and  overlooked  periodi- 
cally by  one  of  the  chaplains  himself  riding  out,  increased  its 
importance  and  usefulness,  and  provided  employment  for  the 
poor.     Thus  Chaucer  says  : — 

This  noble  Monk  of  which  I  y>u  devise 
Hath  of  his  Abbot  as  him  list  licence 
Because  he  was  a  man  of  high  prudeneo 
And  eke  an  officer  out  for  to  ride 
To  seen  hir  granges  and  his  hemes  wide 
For  certain  bestes  that  I  inuste  beye, 
To  storen  with  a  pi  ace  that  is  oures. 

It  seems  as  though  the  officer  who  had  this  happy  periodical 
relief  from  the  routine  of  monastic  life  may  be  compared  to  the 
favoured  boy  at  a  boarding  school,  who  is  occasionally  sent  by 
his  master  to  perform  a  little  commission  for  him  in  the  town. 

2  messuages  or  houses,  2  roods  of  land,  i.e.,  cultivated  arable 
land. 

The  parish  clerk,  i  e.y  the  priest, 

I  trow  that  he  be  went 
For  timbre,  ther  our  Abbot  hath  him  sent, 
For  he  is  wont  for  timber  for  to  go, 
And  dwellen  at  the  Grange  a  day  or  two. 

5  priests  including  the  Warden  and  Subwarden, 
2  proper  clerks. 


124      Tong  College,  Habits,  Manorial  Customs,  &c. 

13  poor,  7  too  infirm  to  help  themselves. 
20  inmates  in  all. 

Upon  my  faith  thou  art  som  officer, 
Som  worthy  sextein,  or  some  celerer.* 
For  by  my  fadres  soule,  as  to  my  doraef 
Thou  art  a  mnister,  whan  thou  art  at  home 
No  poure  cloistorer,  ne  non  novice. 
But  a  governour  both  ware  and  wise 
And  therwithal  of  braunes  and  of  bones 
A  right  wel  faring  persone  for  the  nones. 

We  may  hefe  remark  how  much  greater  a  blessing  a  College 
was  than  a  Monastery.  The  one  a  community  or  assemblage 
of  men  invested  with  certain  authoritative  powers  using  their 
establishment  to  diffuse  learning,  promote  the  education  and 
welfare  of  the  neighbours,  and  to  attend  to  the  wants  of  the 
sick  and  infirm  ;  the  other,  the  Monastery,  a  place  of  retire- 
ment, a  provision  for  housing  and  feeding  primarily  themselves, 
the  monks,  without  much  regard  for  the  rest  of  the  world,  an 
association  of  men  full  of  the  light  of  learning  and  blessed 
with  advantages  which  might  have  been  turned  into  a  bless- 
ing to  those  around  them,  but  one  which  enabled  them  to  self- 
ishly hem  in  and  bury  themselves  within  the  four  walls  of 
their  habitation,  bent  only  on  attaining  Salvation  themselves, 
regardless  of  the  rest  of  mankind. 

"  The  parochial  chaplain  and  another  to  teach  the  clerks, 
"  ministers  and  children  of  that  and  other  neighbouring  towns, 
"  to  read,  sing  and  their  grammar."  Which  can  the  neigh- 
bouring   towns    be  ?     Tong-Norton,     Donnington,    Shifnal, 

W'eston. 

There  appears  to  have  been  a  little  Chapel  within  the 
College,  besides  the  Collegiate  Church,  and  Mr.  Cole  remarked 
in  1757  that  the  Alms-house  or  Hospital  had  a  Chapel  of  its 
own.     The   rules   as  to  their  Costume  or  Habit  appear  to  be 

*  The  oificer  in  a  monastery  who  had  the  care  of  the  provisions.       f  In  my  opinion. 


Pews  akd  Seats  in  Church.  \7% 

ligid  in  the  extreme,  while  on  the  other  hand  the  hospitality 
to  be  shown  to  strangers,  although  according  to  rules,  was  of 
a  full  and  ample  character. 

The  ambiguous  and  contradictory  regulations  for  the  admis- 
sion and  exclusion  of  women  are  truly  naive. 

The  regulations  point  to  the  Clerks'  inclination  to  indulge 
too  freely  in  matters  of  sport ;  however,  an  oftence  or  two 
may  be  overlooked,  and  if  the  extreme  penalty  be  enforced, 
it  would  be  best  to  say  as  little  as  possible  about  it.  Doubt- 
less there  was  no  great  harm  then  as  now,  but  real  good  in 
the  Clergy  joining  in  the -various  avocations  and  diversions  of 
their  flock,  provided  it  were  not  carried  too  far.  The  pre- 
dilection for  sporting  was  manifest  too  in  the  ladies  of  that 
day,  as  we  shall  remark  more  explicitly  in  referring  to  Black 
Ladies  ;  but  it  may  be  that  the  "  Canes  Venatici "  (Dogs  of 
the  Chase)  of  the  Nunnery  were  frequently  instrumental  in 
providing  a  dinner  for  the  inmates  who  we  read  were  poor 
indeed  ;  thus  nothing  is  new  under  the  sun,  and  the  occupa- 
tion of  the  lurcher  to  be  seen  under  every  ugly  caravan  of  the 
present  day  finds  a  precedent  in  the  usages  of  religious 
zealots  of  old. 

The  Manorial  Court  consisted  of  the  Lord  or  his  Steward 
and  the  Jury,  duly  summoned  and  warned  by  the  quaint  in- 
junction "  Oh,  yes  !  Oh,  yes  !  Oh,  yes  !  "  At  the  Court  the 
deaths  of  various  tenants  of  the  Manor,  and  the  fines  due  to 
the  Lord  of  the  Manor  on  each  death  or  change  of  ownership, 
were  declared  and  recorded. 

This  custom  is  still  performed  in  Manorial  Courts  at  the 
present  day — the  Jurors  and  Court  being  discharged  in 
similar  words  to  the  opening  exclamation.  An  old  work  (re- 
ferred to  previously),  and  dated  1675,  prints  elaborate 
rules  of  Courts  Leet  and  Courts  Baron  of  the  time.     One  or 


326  Pews  and  Seats  in  Church. 

two  may  thus  be  noted: — "8  Henry  VII.  The  Freehold  of 
the  Church  is  to  the  Parson,  and  the  pewes  are  Chattels  unless 
they  are  fixt,  but  some  have  pews  there  by  Prescription  ;  but 
the  pews  fixt  there  are  the  Freehold  ot  the  Parson." 

"A  peiw"  (says  Gouij;h  in  his  quaint  History  of  Myddle, 
quoting-  eminent  authorities)  "  is  a  certain  place  in  church 
incompassed  with  wainscott  or  some  other  thing,  for  several 
persons  to  sitt  together.  A  seat  or  kneeling  (for  in  this  case 
they  are  the  same)  in  such  a  part  of  a  Pew,  as  belongs  to  one 
families  or  person.  And  a  peiw  may  beelong  whoaly  to  one 
family,  or  it  may  beelong  to  the  ordinary,  and  noe  man  can 
claime  a  right  to  a  seate  without  prescription  or  some  other 
g-ood  reason  [sic.].  A  peiw  or  seat  does  not  beelong  to  a 
person  or  to  land,  butt  to  an  house,  therefore  if  a  man  remove 
from  an  house  to  dwell  in  another,   hee  shall  not  retaine  the 

seat   belonging  to  the  first    house 

If  a  man  sell  a  dwelling  house   with  the  appurtenances  the 

seate  in  Church  passes  by  the  word  appurtenances 

Wee  have  a  tradition,  that  theire  was  noe  peiws  in  Churches 
before  the  Reformation,  but  I  believe  that  some  of  the  cheife 
Inhabitants  had  peiws  in  the  upper  end  of  the  Church  before 
that  time,  as  appears  by  certain  antient  cases  in  law-books. 
Neverthelesse  after  the  Reformation  the  bodys  of  the  Churches 
in  most  places  were  furnished  with  peiws  ;  or  with  benches 
(which  were  called  forms)  for  the  people  to  sitt  in  while  the 
Lessons  were  read  and  dureing  Sermon  time. "  And  Mr.  Gough 
proceeds  to  give  a  very  interesting  account  of  the  Parish  of 
Myddle  by  taking  in  order  the  names  of  every  householder's 
pew. 

The  two  pews  on  the  north  side  of  the  pulpit  in  Tong 
Church,  i.e.,  in  the  North  Chapel,  were  claimed  a  few  years 
ago  as  "  belonging  to  the  Minister  "  ;  but  rights  to  pews  are 
—  or  ought  to  be— better  held  in  these  days  by  constant  use 


Pews  and  Seats  in  Church-.  t2^ 

of  them  than  by  any  other  title.  It  is  the  habit,  however,  of 
some  old  people  to  bequeath  the  family  pew  in  their  Parish 
Church  in  the  same  way  as  other  valuables,  although  the  pew 
itself  may  have  been  already  lost  sight  of  in  a  much-needed 
re-arrangement  of  sittings.  Such  was  the  case  when  Mr. 
Isaac  Pugh,  a  cousin  of  mine,  recently  bequeathed  Pugh  in 
his  will  the  pew  in  Oswestry  Church.  The  family  came 
from  Llanfyllin,  near  Oswestry.  The  name  Pugh  means  son 
of  Hugh,  formerly  written  Ap  Hugh,  as  is  Griffiths,,  for  Ap 
Griffiths,  (son  of). 

Harriot,  f  Two  manner  of,  viz.  :  Harriot  custom,  and 
Harriot  Service  ;  the  former  after  the  death  of  the  tenant  for 
life  ;  the  latter  after  the  death  of  the  Tenant  in  fee- 

Breviate  of  the  Charge. 

Ill  persons  for  the  Commonwealth  (inter  alia)  : — 

Of  those  which  Sleep  in  the  day  and  Walk  in  the  nighty 
and  have  nothing  to  live  on. 

Of  those  which  catch  Pigeons  in  the  Winter  with  Nets  or 
Engines. 

Very  extraordinary  offences  I 

Herriot.  One  of  the  properties  belonging  to  the  Tong 
Charity  Trustees  is  called  "  Little  Harriots  Hays,"  otherwise 
44  Dead  Woman's  Grave/'  The  connection  between  the  two 
names  is  easily  surmised.  Heriot  in  "  all  the  Lordship's 
marches  "  was  the  best  weapon.  Heriot  Covenant  is  such  a 
weapon  as  an  arrow  or  a  sum  of  money  or  such  a  beast  or 
goods  as  is  mentioned  in  the  Covenant.  And  this  the  Lord  is 
obliged  to  take,  although  it  happen  to  bee  worse  than  the 

best  weapon the  best  weapon  may  be  but 

a  "  pickavill,  a  trouse  bill,  or  a  clubbe  staffe,  for  these  are 
weapons  offensive  and  defensive. " 


t  From  "  here  "  a  lord  of  herus,  and  geat  or  neat,  a  beast.    Quasi  dictum  "  The  lord'* 
beast" 


I2S  Manors,  Pounds,  and  Constables. 

Trespass. 
Of  Common  Barretors  and  Scolds. 
Ot  breaking  the  Common  Pound. 

"  Barretors  "  or  Scolds  meant  Brawling  Women.  The 
ladies  charged  with  this  offence  were  punished  by  having- 
an  iron  bridle  locked  on  their  heads  —part  of  it,  a  narrow 
tongue  of  iron,  one  and  a  half-inch  long,  much  like  the  bowl 
of  a  spoon,  was  thrust  into  the  mouth,  which  effectually  pre- 
vented conversation  offensive  or  even  supplicatory. 

Pound. — In  many  a  parish  the  pound  is  the  sole  relic  of 
Manorial  Authority.  All  stray  animals  were  impounded,  and 
the  fact  proclaimed  in  the  Church.  There  is  a  pound  at 
Tong  Norton,  and  one  at  Weston,  and  at  Blymhill. 

Constable.     To  see  the  Watch  kept ! 

The  Community  was  in  very  simple  hands,  if  we  may  judge 
by  Shakespeare's  Constable  and  the  men  of  the  Watch. 

Dogberry  :  Well,  for  your  favour,  Sir,  why  give  God  thanks,  and  make 
no  boast  of  it,  and  for  your  writing  and  reading,  let  that  appear  when 
there  is  no  need  of  such  vanity.  You  are  thought  here  to  be  the  most 
senseless  and  fit  man  for  ths  Constable  of  the  Watch  ;  therefore  bear  you 
the  lantern.  This  is  your  charge— you  shall  comprehend  all  vagrom  men  ; 
you  are  to  bid  any  man  stand,  in  the  Prince's  name. 

Watch  :  How  if  a'  will  not  stand  ? 

Dogberry :  Why,  then  take  no  note  of  him,  but  let  him  go ;  and 
presently  call  the  rest  of  the  watch  together,  and  thank  God  you  are  rid  of 
a  knave. 

Well  you  are  to  call  at  all  the  ale-houses,  and  bid  those  that  are  drunk  get 
them  to  bed. 

Watch  :  How  if  they  will  not  ? 

Dogberry  :  Why  then  let  them  alone  till  they  are  sober  ;  if  they  make 
you  not  then  the  better  answer,  you  may  say  they  are  not  the  men  you 
took  them  for. 

Watch  :   Well,  sir 

Dogberry :  If  you  meet  a  thief,  you  may  suspect  him,  by  virtue  of  your 
office,  to  be  no  true  man  ;  and  for  such  kind  of  men,  the  less  you  meddle 
or  make  with  them,  why,  the  more  is  for  your  honesty. 


Watchman,  Wardens,  Masses,  Etc. 


129 


Each  town  a  century  ago  had  its  Watchman,  who  hourly 
cried  out  the  progress  and  atmospheric  phases  of  the  night :— - 


*  One  o'clock  and  frosty  ' 
'Two  o'clock  and  raining." 
'  Three  o'clock  and  line,"  &c. 

The  London  Watchman 
cried  the  time  every  half- 
hour.      In   addition    to  a 
lantern  and  rattle,  he  was 
armed  with  a  stout  stick. 
T.     L.     Busby,     who    in 
1819     illustrated      "The 
Costumes   of  the  Lower 
Orders  of  London,"  tells 
us    that    in    March    the 
Watchman      began      his 
rounds     at    eight  in   the 
evening,      and      finished 
them  at  six  in  the  morn' 
ing.    From  April  to  Sep- 
tember his     hours     were 
from     ten      till 
five ;    and  from 
November      to 
the  end  of  Feb- 
ruary, twelve  till  seven.     During  the  darkest  months  there 
was  an   extra   watch  from  six  to  twelve,  and  extra  patrols  or' 
sergeants  walked  over  the  beats  at  intervals. 

It  is  peculiar  that  the  only  reference  to  the  farming  opera' 
tions  upon  which  the  College  must  have  depended  for  its  pro- 
visions is  so  briefly  referred  to.  "  The  Gifts  of  The  Faithful  " 
may,  however,  have  been  so  ample  as  to  provide  hard  cash 
with  which  the  Warden  could  buy  the  larger  portion  of  tlie 
necessaries  of  life. 


Watchman  :  "  Past  One  o'clock,  an''  a  fine  morning.' 


130  Tong  College — Masses. 

I  have  come  across  no  illustration  of  the  Seal  of  the 
College. 

In  the  Hon.  and  Rev.  Canon  Bridgeman's  Account  of 
Marston,*  containing  some  account  of  Lapley  Priory,  mention 
is  made  that  the  Master  (or  Warden)  of  Tong  College  was  to 
have  a  man  and  a  pair  of  horses  kept  at  the  expense  of  the 
College  to  travel  about  the  business  of  the  fraternity  ;  but,  if 
occasion  require  it,  he  might  keep  more  horses  when  he 
travelled  to  more  distant  parts,  and  further  that  the  following 
Masses  should  be  performed  : — 

On  Sunday,  the  mass  of  the  Holy  Trinity  for  founders  and  benefactors  ; 

Monday,  the  mass  of  the  Holy  Ghost  ; 

Tuesday,  Salut  Populi  (the  Salvation  of  all  Men)  ; 

Wednesday,  the  Angels'  mass ; 

Thursday,  the  mass  de  Corpore  Christi ; 

Friday,  mass  of  the  Holy  Cross  ; 

And  on  Saturday,  the  mass  of  Rest. 

Thomas  Forster's  tomb  is  in  the  north  wall  of  Shifnal' 
Church,  a  canopied  one,  with  effigy,  and  this  inscription : 

Here  lieth  the  Body  of  Thomas  Forstar 
Sometime  Prior  of  Wombridge  Warden 
Of  Tongue  and  Vicar  of  Idsall  1526. 

The  arms  are  quarterly  (per  fesse  indented),  i  and  4  sable- 
a  pheon  ;  2  and  3  argent,  a  forester's  horn. 

Thomas  Forster's  Will  is  in  the  Bodleian  Library,  dated 
1522.  Among  others,  are  bequests  for  the  following  purposes  t 
"  to  the  prysts  and  Clerks  of  St.  Andrew  of  Idsall  to  kepe 
the  Mass  every  Friday  by  rote,  x  *  to  John  Hatton  to  set 
me  in  his  Bead-roll :  every  pryst  in  the  parish  to  have  iiis,  ivd. 
to  pray  for  me.  Also  it  is  my  mynd  to  have  a  Trentall-day  as 
soon  as  may  be  after  my  departyng  "  [i.e.,  a  celebration  of 
Mass  30  days  after). 

An  extract  from  the  Shropshire  Archaeological  Journal  may  be: 
taken,  as  Forster  or  the  Foresters  are  farther  associated   with 

*  Staffordshire  Archaeological  Vol.,  1884,  and  Lloyds  Duke's  Shropshire 


Forester,  Warden  of  Tong.  131 

Tong  in  the  person  of  Isabella  Forster  referred  to  later.  It  says 
he  was  a  Pluralist  of  that  date,  and  one  of  much  dignity  ;  repre- 
sented lying  in  his  priestly  robes,  which  consist  of  a  Cassock, 
Alb  or  Tunic,  a  Chasuble  with  border,  and  an  Amice  round  the 
neck  ;  on  his  head  the  Tonsure,  which  was  a  corona  or  crown 
shewing  the  mark  of  his  order.  He  was  one  of  the  family  of 
the  Foresters,  presumably  of  the  Royal  Forest  of  the  Wrekin, 
and  a  native  of  the  parish,  as  evidenced  by  a  deed  of  Richard 
Forster  of  Evelith  (temp.  Hen.  VIII.  20),  who  granted  certain 
lands  in  Alderton  in  the  parish  of  Great  Ness,  Co.  Salop,  to 
find  a  fit  chaplain  "  to  pray  for  the  Soul  of  Thomas  Forster, 
and  for  the  souls  of  all  his  friends  and  kinsmen." 

He  was  of  the  same  family  as  Anthony  Forster  ("  Tony 
Fire-the-fagot  "  in  "  Kenilworth  "),  whose  tomb  in  Cumnor 
Church,  Co,  Oxford,  describes  him  as  M  Qui  quondam 
Ipplethae  Salopiensis  erat."  Ipplethae  or  Ivilith,  or  Evelith 
the  paternal  Estate,  was  held  by  Lord  Forester's  family 
until  within  the  last  few  years. 

A  pretty  drawing  of  the  Tomb,  conveying  an  idea  of  its 
character,  was  made  by  the  Rev.  J.  Brooke,  of  Haughton. 


A  DOCUMENT  DESCRIBING  THE  "BOUNDARY 
OF  THE  LORDSHIP  OR  MANOR  AND  PARISH  OF 
TONGE:"— 

GTfje  I9tfj  anb  20tfr  of  JHag  in  &nno  1718  jacmoranoum,  tfje 
Xiaos  ano  gear  aoobe  torttten  famjj  iftagatton  toeeke.  31  Bounoerg  of 
tfje  ILoro^sfjtp,  or  JEannor  ano  ^arigfj  of  (Eowje  toaa  tfjen  taken  05 
tfje  JHtmstor  ano  surf)  of  tfje  Inhabitants  thereof  foijogc  names  are 
hereunto  suoiscrtoeo,  ano  12  ag  folloinetf) : 

Impr. 

It  was  begun  at  Tonge  Mill  Poole  and  went  Eastward  up  A  Brooke  called 
Kilsall  brooke  uuto  A  Bridge  over  the  said  brooke  in  the  Road  from  Tonge  to 
Albriugton,  ou  the  midle  of  which  Bridge  was  a  Gospell  Read,  and  from  theoce 
Eastward  up  the  aforesaid  brooke  unto  tlie  upper  part  of  a  piece  of  ground  in  th« 
tenure  of  John  Cotton,  c -tiled  the  Walds,  from  thence  Across  the  bottom  of  widdow 
Hauison's  fieald  unto  the  Cornor  of  Tonge  Parke  pale  then  forward  adjoyning  to 
the  lands  of  Will.  Colemore,  Esq.,  in  the  tenure  of  John  Yate.  and  Thomas  Ellits 
lour  foot  on  the  outside  of  the  Park  pale  all  along,  likewise  fiom  thence  forward 
on  the  outside  of  the  Parke  pale  adjoyning  to  the  Lands  Ffitchherbot,  Esq.  four  foot 
being  in  the  tenure  of  Thomas  Row  adjoining  unto  the  Park  pale  up  to  the 
Keepers  meadowes,  then  continuing  on  by  a  bond  hedge  made  by  Mr  How  from 
the  Keepers  meadows,  and  also  from  the  Parke  helds,  from  thence  unto  A  marie 
vitt  in  mill  fi-ld  in  the  tenure  of  Mr.  How  being  adjudged  to  be  an  acre  which 
formerly  paid  tythes  to  Touge,  thence  returning  out  of  the  grounds  of  Mr.  How 
into  Ambiit-g  meadowe  and  still  continueing  by  Mr.  How's  bond  hedge  unto 
Moralls  meicell  now  in  the  tenure  of  John  Carpentor  to  A  gate  place  there  where 
there  thm  was  A  gospell  read  and  from  thence  Along  by  the  bond  hedge  of 
Dennis  Field,  in  the  upper  part  of  the  aforesaid  held  is  about  two  Acres  of  Laud 
in  the  Parish  of  Tonge  and  pavs  Tithes  to  the  Lord  of  the  Aianuor  of  Tonge  as  often 
as  it  is  tilled,  from  thence  returning  out  of  that  lands  into  Biyery  hurst  and  still 
continuing  by  Mr.  Howe  s  bond  he  ge  unto  Pierce  Hay  laoe  thence  returning  to  A 
gate  entering  into  Bishops  wood  where  there  then  was  A  gospell  read  and  from 
thence  by  a  bond  hedge  dividing  from  the  Parish  of  Brewood  leaaing  to  A  piece  of 
Land  Pertry  lessow  iu  the  tenure  of  William  Le^ke,  and  from  thence  by  A  bond 
hedge  dividing  from  the  Pa<ish  of  Blimhiil  untill  we  come  to  Weston  Parke  Pale 
Corner,  at  A  gate  there  was  then  A  gospell  read,  then  goeing  seven  foot  of  the  out- 
side of  the  Westou  Parke  pale  westward  unto  A  piece  of  Land  called  Cowe  haye, 
then  continuing  by  the  Bond  hedge  of  cowe  haye  in  the  P-ish  of  Westou  unto 
Cowe  haye  gate  where  there  then  was  A  gospell  read  and  from  thence  continuing 


Perambulation  of  the  Boundaries  of  Tong.         133 

~by  the  Bond  hedge  belonging  to  Weston  P-ish  aforesaid  unto  A  certain  gate  lead- 
ing of  Norton  heath  unto  Weston  new  Mill  where  there  then  was  A  gospell  read 
and  from  thence  by  the  aforesd  Bond  henge  of  Weston  unto  Windrill 
meadow,  And  from  thence  continuing  by  certin  grounds  called  the  Windrills  uuto 
Street  way  still  by  the  P-iah  of  Weston  along  certain  grounds  in  the  tenure  of  John 
Fox  of  Lizyard  Grange  unto  to  the  road  from  Tonge  to  Newport  were  there  was  a 
gospell  read.  And  thence  along  the  lands  of  John  Fox  aforesd  adjoyning  to  Street 
road  in  i  he  P-ish  of  Sheriffehalse  unto  A  certain  brooke  ruuing  from  Burlaughton  in 
the  P-ish  of  Sheriffhalse  And  from  thence  southward  dovvne  by  the  said  Brooke 
adjoyning  to  the  P-ish  of  Shiffnall  ati*  Idsall  unto  A  way  and  steping  stones  upon 
the  same  brooke  belo  v  Thomas  Wenlocks  corne  Mill  where  there  then  was  A 
Gospell  read,  And  thence  along  the  same  brooke  unto  the  upper  forge  hammor 
ditch  where  there  was  then  A  gospell  read  and  from  thence  along  the  fforge  brooke 
unto  A  way  and  steping  stones  where  was  then  a  Gospell  read  And  from  thence 
by  the  same  brooke  to  A  bridge  below  the  lower  Forge  where  there  was  a  Go-pell 
read,  thence  by  the  same  brooke  unto  Timlett  Bridge  where  there  then  was  a 
Gospell  read.  And  from  thence  by  the  same  brooke  unto  a  certain  bridge  over 
which  is  a  way  into  Muncke  fields  from  Ruckley  Grange  near  below  which  bridge 
is  A  bylott  or  spot  of  Land  over  the  brooke  belonging  to  the  P-ish  of  Tonge  adjoyn- 
ing to  a  meadow  in  the  holding  of  Lancet  Jones,  then  returning  to  the  Forge  brooke 
aforesd  downe  to  A  bridge  below  Ruckley  Grange  house  upon  which  there  then 
was  A  Gospell  read  And  from  thence  along  the  same  brooke  to  the  Hole  upon  A 
bridge  there  then  was  A  gospell  read,  And  from  thence  by  the  same  brooke  round 
to  Ruckley  wood  cornor  which  is  the  Tenure  of  Thomas  Scott  untill  it  meets  the 
Brooke  that  runs  from  Tonge  Mill.  Thence  returning  up  Tonge  Mill  brooke  adjoyn- 
ing to  the  P-ish  of  Dunington  untill  we  come  to  a  certain  Piece  of  Land  about 
half  an  Acre  lyeing  over  the  sd  brooke  now  in  the  holding  of  John  Horton 
which  is  in  the  P-ish  of  Tonge  unto  a  gate  upon  Worcester  Road  where  there  then 
was  a  Gospell  real,  and  from  then  .e  returning  two  and  up  the  saide  brooke  untill 
we  come  to  Tonge  Mill,  at  A  gate  over  the  poole  Bridge  adjoyning  to  the  P-ish  o 
Dunnington  where  there  then  was  A  gospell  read,  and  the  Boundary  there 
ended  : — 

Lewis  Peitier,  Curate  of  Tong     ") 

George  Salter  |       The  Seavon    of  the 

Robert  Stones  |  Jury  at  the  Court  Leet 

TheR"CM  0?  R  M""on  Tent-                               j&   Court    Baron    held 

TheKmogrekr  of  (?  Mas0B,  Ror  the  Mannr  of  Tonge 

Thomas  Ore  j  the  26th  of  Oct.    1719 

John  Cotton  |  know  the  Boundaryes. 

The  mark  of  n     H„,     „ 

George         §     HolmM  J 

The  above  was  a  small  paper  document  2oin.  x  i6in.  found 
by  the  Rev.  R.  G.  Lawrence  at  Donnington,  a  neighbouring 
parish,  and  sent  by  the  Rev.  H.  G.  de  Bunscn,  rector  there,  to 
Mr.  Lawrence,  Nov.  20,  1872.  "  This  is  the  Document  I  told 
you  of,  to  which,  as  far  as  I  can  see,  not  we,  but  you  have  the 
right." 


134     Boundary  of  thk  Manor  and  Parish  of  Tong,  1718, 

The  above  old  document,  describing  the  Boundary  of  the 
Manor  and  Parish  of  Tong  nearly  two  hundred  years  ago, 
is  of  much  interest,  especially  to  the  inhabitants  who  are 
acquainted  with  the  roads  and  places  mentioned.  It  seems 
that  the  perambulation  took  two  days  to  complete,  namely, 
the  19th  and  20th  of  May,  1718,  and  these  no  doubt  were 
Rogation  days. 

Rogation  days  are  the  Monday,  Tuesday,  and  Wednesday 
before  Ascension  Day ;  and  are  said  to  be  so  called  from  the 
old  custom  for  processions  to  go  out  from  the  Church  to 
various  stations  in  the  parish,  where  hymns,  canticles,  and 
litanies  were  sung,  asking  for  God's  blessing  upon  the  fruits 
of  the  earth. 

The  following  are  words  from  a  beautiful  Rogation  hymn  : — 

Our  hope,  when  Autumn  winds  blow  wild 

We  trusted,  Lord,  with  Thee; 
And  still,  now  Spring  has  on  us  smiled, 

We  wait  on  Thy  decree. 

The  former  and  the  latter  rain, 

The  Summ«r  sun  and  air, 
The  green  ear,  and  the  golden  grain 

All  Thine,  are  ours  by  prayer. 

Thine  too  by  right,  and  ours  by  grace, 

The  wondrous  growth  unseen, 
The  hopes  that  soothe,  the  fears  that  brace, 

The  Love  that  shines  serene. 

Why  are  not  out-of-door  services  revived  in  the  Church  of 
England  ?  They  are  very  impressive  indeed.  The  service 
of  the  Consecration  of  new  burial  ground  at  Tong  lately  is  an 
instance,  and  a  more  striking  one  was  the  Volunteer  Camp 
Service  at  Coppice  Green  a  few  years  ago. 

The  walking  of  the  boundaries  of  the  Parish  or  Manor  was 
a  duty  zealously  performed  a  century  ago  in  all  parishes. 
The  party  perambulating  included  the  clergyman,  some  old 
men,  inhabitants  well  acquainted  with  the  windings  of  the 
boundary,  and  a  certain  number  of  lads  "  to  tell  them  that 
come  after."     Refreshments  were  provided  at  certain  points 


Tong  Mill — the  Miller.  135 

on  the  route,  and  the  proceedings  were  not  infrequently 
enlivened  by  practical  jokes  played  upon  the  boys,  to  stamp- 
in  their  memories  the  day's  business,  such  as  where  by 
chance  a  brook  took  a  doubtful  turn  or  divided  in  two,  in  that 
part  of  it  which  remained  as  the  boundary  one  or  two  of 
them  would  be  "ducked."  In  a  place  where  the  boundary 
ran  through  a  cottage,  a  small  boy  was  pushed  through  a 
little  window  which  denned  it ;  and  in  another  case  where 
there  was  no  window,  money  was  thrown  over  for  the  boys  to< 
catch  on  the  other  side,  f 

The  Duke  of  Kingston  was  Lord  of  Tong  at  this  time. 
The  parish  boundary  seems  to  have  been  identical  with  that 
of  the   Manor. 

"  Begun  at  Tonge  Mill  Poole."  This  Mill  was 
probably  upon  the  site  of  the  old  Mill  connected  with  the 
feudal  establishment  of  Bishop  de  Belmeis,  immediately 
below  the  Castle.  Several  mill-stones  came  to  light  when 
the  dam  of  this  pool  burst  a  few  years  ago.  It  is  probable- 
that  a  small  pool  on  the  west  side  of  the  Castle  fed  by  the 
larger  Church  Pool,  supplied  the  water  to  drive  the  mill- 
wheel,  for  the  document  says  the  boundary  went  "  Eastward 
up  a  brooke,"  thus  proving  that  the  Kilsall  water  was  not 
impounded  to  form  a  pool  then. 

The  poet  Chaucer  iwho  lived  in  1359,  and  bore  arms  in 
Edward's  Expedition  to  Calais),  so  quaintly  describes  the 
miller  and  other  rural  characters  of  the  14th  century,  that  I 
have  quoted  his  _  words,  in  order  to  bring  vividly  before 
us  pictures  of  the  country  people  of  those  earlier  days. 

The  miller  was  remarkable  for  his  stout  build,  and  prowess. 
at  "  wrastling.*' 

Upon  the  cop  right  of  his  nose  he  hade 
A  wert,  and  thereon  stode  a  tufte  of  heres. 
Rede  as  the  bristles  of  a  sowes  eres. 


t  Custom  on  the  Hawarden  Manorial  boundary  W.G.  says — 


136         Gospell  Trees  and  Places, 


A  white  cote  and  a  blew  hode  wered  he, 
A  bagge  pipe  wel  coude  he  blow  and  soune 
And  therwithall  he  brought  us  out  of  toun. 

A  damaging  line  says 

Wel  coude  he  stelen  corne  and  tollen  thries, 
And  yet  he  had  a  thomb'*  ot  golde  parde. 

It  was  the  boast  of  old  Mr.  Bloxham,  of  Lizard  Mill,  that 
he  was  "  the  honest  miller." 

"  The  road  from  Tonge  to  Albrington  (i.e.,  Albrighton) 
*'  on  the  middle  of  which  Bridge  was  a  Gospell  Read." 

Old  Plot  tells  us  that— 

"'In  the  skirts  of  the  town  [of  Wolverhampton]  are  ranged  at  determinate 
"distances  a  number  of  large  trees,  which  serve  to  mark  the  limits  between 
"  the  township  and  the  parish.  Thase  are  denominated  by  the  inhabitants 
"  Gospel  trees,  from  the  practice  01  reading  the  Gospel  under  them,  when 
*' the  clergy  were  wont  to  perambulate  the  boundaries." 

Plot,  again  in  his  history  of  Staffordshire,  1686,  says: — 

**  They  have  also  a  custom  in  this-  County,,  which  I  observed  on  Holy 
Thursday  at  Brewood  and  Bilbrook,  of  adorning  their  wells  with  Boughs- 
and  flowers  ;  this  it  seems  they  doe  too  at  all  Gospell-placea,  whether  wells 
trees  or  hills ;  which  being  now  observed  only  for  decency  and  custom 
sake  is  innocent  enough.  Heretofore  it  was  usual  to  pay  this  respect  io» 
such  wells  as  were  eminent  for  cureing  distempers  on  the  Saint's  day 
whose  name  they  bore,  diverting  themselves  with  cakes  and|ale,  and  a  little 
musick  and  dancing.'' 

There  are  no  wells  of  this  description  in  Tong,  but  in  the 
Shaw  Lane,  at  Tong  Norton,  upon  some  old  half-timbered 
cottages  there,  I  have  seen  bunches  ot  yellow  May  flowers* 
hanging  over  the  doors,  some  weeks  after  the  1st  of  May  has 
passed.  And  this  May-day  custom  I  have  observed  on 
John  Wilkes's  Cottage  in  the  neighbouring  parish  of  Weston. 

The  May-pole. — The  Shaft  or  Maypole  was  in  former  times 
considered  part  of  the  public  property  of  the  parish,  and  as 
such  was  repaired  by  the  Churchwardens-  Popular  amuse- 
ments were  in  those  days  under  the  patronage  of  the  Church.. 

*  Meaning  probably  that  notwithstanding  his  thefts  he  was  an  honest  miller,,  i.e.,  as- 
Stonesi  as  his  brethren^ 


May-Day  and  Cromwell.  137 

May-games,  though  much  olderthan  the  Christian  Church,  were 
connected  with  some  of  its  most  pleasing  rites. 

A  little  nonsense  now  and  then 
Is  relished  by  the  wisest  men. 

At  Waddingham,  before  the  Elizabethan  spoliation,  a 
sacring  bell  hung  from  its  top.  May-poles  seem  to  have 
existed  in  most  of  our  villages  until  the  time  of  the  Great 
Civil  War.  By  an  ordinance  of  Parliament  in  Cromwell's 
time,  1644,  all  May-poles  were  ordered  to  be  removed  as 
heathenish  vanities. 

We  read  that  "  not  long  after  the  restauration  of  King 
"  Charles  II.,  the  young  people  of  Myddie  [and  others]  were 
"  about  setting  up  a  May-pole  near  the  church-stile  ;  "  where- 
upon the  parish  clerk  remonstrated.  He  was  brought  before 
a  justice  of  the  peace,  "when  it  was  deposed  on  oath  that 
14  hee  said  it  was  as  greate  a  sin  to  sett  up  a  May-pole  as  to 
"  cut  of  the  King's  head.  (These  words  hee  denied  even  to 
"  his  dying  day)."  He  was,  however,  subsequently  fined  5 
marks,  "  and  an  order  was  made  that  he  should  louse  his  place." 

"  Corner  of  Tong  Parke  Pale."  There  seems  to  be  little 
doubt  that  the  Park  belonging  to  Tong  Castle  was  enclosed 
with  pales,  and  extended  from  the  present  brook  at  Tong 
Park  Farm  northward  to  Hubball,  and  possibly  to  the  foot  of 
the  Knoll.  There  is  no  reason  why  it  should  not  have  done 
so,  as  the  OfFoxey  Road  is  a  comparatively  new  one,  happily 
substituted  for  the  old  tortuous  way  by  the  Knoll  House, 
passing  not  far  from  the  old  Tithe  Barn  to  White  Oak. 

This  old  barn  is  very  large,  and  was  probably  the  tithe 
barn  of  the  parish,  in  which  the  tithe  hay  and  grain  were 
stored,  before  the  Tithe  Commutation  Act  came  into  force 
some  50  or  60  years  ago. 

In  harvest  time,  when  the  grain  was  in  mows  ready  to  carry 
to  the  stack,  notice  was  required  to  be  given  to  the  person 
collecting  the  Tithe-owner's  share   of  grain  crops,   and   he 


138  Collection  of  Tithe  in  Kind. 

would  come  to  the  field  and  sprig  with  a  twig  every  tenth 
mow  ;  these  would  be  carried  to  the  Tithe  barn,  for  use  of 
the  Incumbent,  unless  he  agreed,  as  was  often  the  case,  with 
one  farmer  to  give  him  so  much  money  for  the  tithe  crop  of 
the  whole  parish. 

This  method  was  a  survival  of  the  practice  adopted  in  the 
time  of  the  Norman  kings  to  obtain  their  revenues.  The 
Sheriff  was  the  king's  "  fermor  "  ;  he  agreed  to  give  the  king 
so  much  money  from  a  given  County,  and  anything  more  he 
could  extract  from  the  people  in  it  was  his  pay  and  profit. 

By  the  Tithe  Commutation  Act  there  was  a  certain  sum 
in  lieu  of  tithe  apportioned  on  each  field ;  an  Act  which  often 
works  unjustly  at  the  present  day,  when  the  highest-tithed 
land,  i.e.,  the  wheat  growing  arable  land,  bears  a  tithe  of 
perhaps  4/-  to  6/-  an  acre,  and  the  crop  itself  will  not  pay  the 
cost  of  production,  while  rich  pastures  are  almost  tithe  free. 

Here  are  some  of  the  words  of  an  old  song  called  "  The 
Tithe  Pig  "  :— 

"  Good  morning  said  the  Parson,"  "  Good  morning  Sir  to  you," 
"  I've  come  to  choose  a  sucking  pig,  you  know  it  is  my  due, 
"  I  pray  you  sir,  go  fetch  me  one,  that  is  both  plump  and  fine, 
"  For  I  expect  a  friend  or  two  along  with  me  to  dine." 

With  my  whack  fol  the  diddle  dol  the  dido. 

Then  in  the  stye  the  farmer  went,  among  the  pigs  so  small, 
And  brought  him  out  a  little  pig,  the  least  among  them  all. 

On  seeing  this,  the  parson,  how  he  did  ramp  and  roar, 

He  scratched  his  head  and  stamped  his  foot,  and  almost  cursed  and  swore. 

With  this  outcried  the  farmer,  "  Since  my  offer  you  refuse, 

"  W*lk  in  the  stye,  you're  welcome  Sir,  now  pray  go  pick  and  choose." 

Then  in  the  stye  the  parson  went  without  any  more  ado, 

Th'  old  Sow  came  out  with  open  mouth  and  at  the  parson  flew. 

The  other  lines  of  this  doggrel  are  now  forgotten,  but  the 
old  sow  tore  off  the  skirts  of  his  coat,  not  to  mention  graver 
grave  disasters  to  other  garments, 

And  ran  her  head  between  his  legs,  and  tumbled  him  in  the  mirev 
Then  out  of  the  stye  the  Parson  came,  all  in  a  handsome  trim. 
The  farmer  almost  split  his  sides  with  laughing  at  the  fun. 

He  then  demanded  his  hat  and  wig  (for  wigs  were  worn  in 


The  White  Oak.  139 

those  days),  and  hurried  out  of  the  place,  and  said  he  was 
almost  dead,  departing  with  the  words — 

"  For  all  the-  treatment  I  received,  all  in  the  accursed  stye, 
"  I  never  shall  relish  a  sucking  pig  unto  the  day  I  die  " 

With  my  whack  fol  the  diddle  dol  the  dido. 

The  "WHITE  OAK"  overhangs  Mr.  Murdock's  back- 
kitchen,  and  is  a  large  tree  standing  upon  an  elevated 
piece  of  ground  midway  between  Tong  and  black 
Ladies  near  Brewood,  and  was  probably  in  the  middle  of 
that  part  of  the  Forest  called  Bishops  Wood.  It  was 
formerly  whitewashed,  as  I  am  informed.  The  reason  for  so 
doing  may  have  been  to  render  it  a  more  conspicuous 
signpost,  marking  the  way  through  the  forest,  and 
perhaps  denoting  that  near  here  was  the  turn  off  the  main 
road  into  the  bridle  way  to  White  Ladies  Abbey,  and  now 
the  shortest  cut  to  Albrighton  Station. 

The  next  name  we  come  to  is  "  Morrall's  meicell,  at  a 
gate  place  there,  where  was  a  Gospel. read,"  i.e  ,  the  bridle 
road  to  the  White  Ladies  Abbey  aforesaid.  The  "  meicell  " 
being  spelt  with  a  small  m  suggests  that  it  was  not  an 
uncommon  word,  but  one  aptly  describing  certain  lands. 
Mr.  Hartshorne  gives  :  meese,  a  labyrinth,  to  turn  giddy 
(from  the  Anglo-Saxon  meuse) — a  hole  in  a  fence,  a  hare's 
general  track.  Perhaps  the  word  denotes  a  part  of  the  old 
Forest  of  Brewood,  unridded,  where  the  trees  were  thick, 
and  the  way  through  it  puzzling,  the  underwood  growth 
briery,  and  good  shelter  for  wild  animals. 

"Dennis  Field" — belonging  to  the  owners  of  Boscobel. 
The  tithe  upon  it  was  apportioned  at  6/-  per  annum,  and  is 
still  payable  to  the  owner  cf  Tong.  St.  Denys  is  the  patron 
Saint  of  France,  and  the  name  suggests  a  connection-wifch 
White  Ladies  Abbey  hard  by.  The  bridle-way  field  and  one 
adjoining  bear  the  respective  names  of  "  White  Ladies  Close" 
and   "Minerals    Leasow";  other   old    names    suggestive   of 


140  Lady  Isabel's  Well. 

mines  are    Ores  Bank   and   Small   Ores   Bank  to  the  North 
of  Meashill  house. 

**  Bryery  Hurst."  The  name  is  still  retained  in  New  and 
Far  Briery  Hurst  and  Briery  Leasow  some  thirty-five  acres, 
lying  west  of  the  Meeshill  house.  A  Hurst  is  defined  as  a 
woody  place,    where  trees  grow  but  low. 

Mr  How's  bond-hedge  extended  to  the  road  to  Boscobel, 
then  called  Pierce  Hay  lane. 

A  well,  called  Lady  Isabel's  Well,  and  a  weeping-  willow 
over  it,  are  near  this  spot.  At  the  present  cross  roads,  near 
a  cottage  called  "  Acorn  Lodge,"  was,  I  suppose,  the  gate 
leading  into  Bishops  wood,  probably  then  a  wood  indeed,  and 
part  of  Brewood  Forest.  Near  here  occurred  a  famous 
fi^ht  between  two  pugilists. 

Pertry  or  Pear-Tree  Leasow,  a  name  still  retained  by  the 
field  south  of  Park  Pales  house. 

A  bond-hedge  divided  Blymhill  and  Tong,  '*  until  we  come 
to  Weston  Park  Pale  Corner."  This  is  a  point  in  the  road 
leading  from  Park  Pales  House  towards  Ivetsey  Bank,  not 
far  from  the  wood  to  which  Weston  Old  Park  extended. 
The  present  noble  owner,  the  Earl  of  Bradford,  tells  me 
that  Weston  Park  originally  reached  nearly  to  Brewood. 
A  Map  in  Plot's  Staffordshire  of  1686  shews  this  so. 

An  inhabitant  living  at  Park  Pales,  named  JIMMY 
TETHERTON,  an  honest  old  cottager  whose  life  is  bound  up 
with  the  spot,  soliloquized  on  rent-day  in  October,  1890,  in 
terms  which  I  paraphrased  thus  : — 

I  want  a  bit  o'  paint  fur  the  doo-ers 

It'll  do  'em  good,  Keep  the  splicings  right 

And  the  nail-holes  in  the  wood  ; 

Tisn't  much,  it'll  do  for  me,  I  shan't  be  lung 

Afore  I've  done  with  it  all,  right  or  wrung 

D'ye  know  how  old  I  am,  why  eighty  years  and  more, 

Was  eighty-one  last  birthday,  and  that's  over  four  score  ; 


Cow  Hay  in  Weston  Park.  141 

Ten  year  oldtr  than  My  Lord,  cos  I  know  he's  seventy-one, 
But  oh  I'm  well  and  hearty,  but  my  work  is  a'most  dun. 
I  bin'  workin  at  Pyatt's,  a  harvestin'  up  at  the  hill, 
Finished  six  weeks  to-day,  and  some  'ull  soon  go  to  the  mill. 
Farmin'i;  up  to  nuthin'  now,  they  keep  no  men, 
I  never  see  sich  a  thing— jest  look  at  it  then 

When  Stockley  Squire  had  the  farm,  and  the  stuff  they  ased  to  grow, 
Everywhere  like  a  garden  and  men  he  had  enow'. 
Oh  !  I  bin  workin  o'  his  garden,  Pyatts  I  mean  to  say 
Fetched  all  the  rubbish  and  weeds  up— ow  they  dun  grow  on  the  clay. 
Stockley  ee  kep  it  sa  nice,  an  this  un  ee  knows  ow  ta  farm, 
But  why  doant  he  see  to  the  gardin  better  from  takin'  harm. 
"Well— I  must  go,  good  day,  you'll  see  to  the  paint  and  stuff, 
Better  be  done  afore  winter,  the  weather  gits  rough. 
N.B. — "  Meester  Norton  hasna'  sent  the  paint  fur  the  doo-ers  yet !" 

A  piece  of  land  called  "Cowe  Haye"  in  Weston  Park.  A 
haye  was  that  fenced  or  paled  part  of  a  forest  into  which 
beasts  were  driven  to  be  caught,  as  elephants  are  in  India  and 
deer  in  America.  The  entrenchments,  made  by  bushes  and 
thickets,  were  termed  hayes* 

4<  Cowe  haye  gate."  The  present  Tong  entrance  Lodge  to 
Weston  Park. 

Norton  Heath.  Evidently  then  unenclosed  (1718),  as  shewn 
on  a  Map  of  Tong,  which  I  have  seen  dated  1739.  It  was 
here  that  Leslie's  3000  Cavalry  re-assembled  and  offered  King 
Charles  their  doubtful  services  again. 

Weston  New  Mill.  The  mill  must  have  been  just  erected, 
in  place  of  a  Windmill,  which  occupied  a  site  on  the  banky 
land  not  far  from  Streetway  or  Watling  Street.  The  Wind- 
mill was  in  situ  in  1686.  The  Windrills  corrupted  from 
"Windmill,"  a  name  given  to  the  fields  west  of  Mr.  Shaw's 
farm  house,  the  Woodlands. 

The  boundary  to  Burlaughton  brook  is  easily  followed  in  a 
westerly  direction  from  Pikemere  Hollow,  the  bed  of  a 
large  sheet  of  water  now  dry,  but  whose  outline  can  be 
partly  followed  in  the  meadows.  The  present  oak  trees  just 
inside  the  field,  on  the  north  side  of  the  Watling  Street, 
indicate  the  boundary  of  the  Parish  and  County. 

*  Hartshorn's  Salop.  Antiq. 


*42  Weston  New  Mill — Idsall. 

"  Shiffnall,  alias  Idsall"  (Idd's  hall  ?). — Both  names  were 
then  in  use.  Why  do  not  the  inhabitants  return  to  the  latter 
and  more  euphonious  name? 

Good  lad}-  Ida, 
Hear  me,  ere  I  die. 

Tennyson. 

"  A  way  and  steping  stones  below  Thomas  Wenlock's 
corne  Mill,"  i.e.,  the  present  Lizard  Mill. 

"Upper  forge  hammor  ditch,"  "  Forge  brooke,"  "lower 
Forge,"  and  "Timlett  bridge"  are  names  suggesting  the 
important  business  of  the  conversion  of  iron  ore,  hitherto 
carried  on  here,  before  the  discoveries  of  steam  had  removed 
such  work  to  the  towns.  The  ore  was  brought  from  the 
Priors  Lee  and  possibly  Wolverhampton  districts.  The 
brook  lay  on  a  good  road  between  the  two,  and  its  rapid  fall 
favored  the  use  of  powerful  waterwheels.  These  were  con- 
structed either  (i)  to  work  a  large  hammer  (as  the  name  of 
the  upper  forge  implies),  or  (2)  to  compress  large  bellows  by 
which  the  blast  was  made  constant,  and  thus  the  heat  became 
so  increased  that  the  operators  "had  the  satisfaction  in 
three  days'  time  of  seeing  the  metal  begin  to  run."  A  token 
shewing  a  forge  hammer  was  found  at  Ton^  Church  during 
the  Restoration  in  1892.  (See  illustration.)  A  lengthy 
account  of  the  whole  process  200  years  ago  cannot  but  interest 
those  engaged  in  the  iron  works  of  the  present  day. 

"  When  they  hav-*  gotten  the  Ore  before  tis  fit  for  the  furnace,  they  burn  or  cal- 
cine it  upon  the  open  ground  with  small  wood,  to  make  it  break  into  small  pieces 
which  will  be  done  in  three  days  this  is  annealing  or  fiting  it  for  the  furnace.  In 
the  meanwhile  they  heat  their  furnace  for  a  week  s  time  with  charcoal  without 
blowing  it,  which  they  call  seasoning  it,  and  then  they  bring  the  Ore  to  the  furnace 
thus  prepared,  and  throw  it  in  with  the  charcoal  in  baskets  vicissim  i.e.  a  basket 
of  Ore,  and  then  a  basket  of  coal  s.s.s.  whereby  two  va>t  pair  of  bellows  placed 
behind  the  furnace  and  compressed  alternately  by  a  large  wheel  turned  by  water 
the  fire  is  made  so  intense  that  after  three  days  time  the  metall  will  begin  to  run 
still  after  increasing  till  at  length  in  fourteen  nights  time  they  can  run  a  sow  and 
piggs  once  in  twelve  hours  which  they  do  in  a  bed  of  sand  before  the  mouth  of  the 
furnace  wherein  they  make  one  larger  furrow  than  the  rest,  next  the  Timp  (wht-re 
the  metal  comes  forth)  which  is  for  the  Sow  from  whence  they  draw  2  or  3  & 
twenty  others  for  the  piggs.     It  not  only  runs  to  the  utmost  distance  of  the 


^f*^5^3»g^v*&^  '  ' HubW  Grange      ' 


Ancient  Forge — Sow  and  Pigs.  145 

furrows  but  stands  boiling  in  them  some  time.  Before  it  is  cold  i.e.  when  it  begins. 
to  blacken  at  the  top  &  the  red  to  goe  off,  they  break  the  Sow  and  pigs  off  from 
one  another  &  the  Sow  into  the  same  length  with  the  piggs  tho'  in  the  runing  it  is 
longer  and  bigger  much,  which  is  now  done  with  ease.  The  hearth  of  the  furnace 
into  which  the  Ore  &  Coal  fall  is  ordinarily  built  square  the  sides  descending  ob- 
liquely, and  drawing  near  to  one  another  at  the  bottom  where  these  terminate,, 
which  they  term  the  boshes ;  there  are  joined  four  other  stones,  commonly 
set  perpendicular  and  reach  to  the  bottom  stone  making  the  perpendicular  square 
that  receives  the  metall  which  4  walls  have  the  following  names — that  next  the 
bellows,  the  tuarn  or  tuiron  wall  ;  that  against  it  the  wind  wall  or  spirit  plate  \. 
that  when  the  Metall  comes  out  the  Timp  or  foreplate  ;  that  over  against  it,  the 
back  wall.  Tis  of  importance  there  should  be  5  or  6  soughs  made  under  the 
furnace  in  paralel  lines  to  the  stream  that  turns  the  wheel  which  compresses  the 
bellows  to  drain  away  the  moisture  from  the  furnace,  for  should  the  least  drop  of 
water  come  into  the  metall,  it  would  blow  up  the  furnace,  and  the  metall  would 
fly  about  the  workman's  ears  from  which  soughs  they  must  also  have  a  conical  pipe 
about  9in.  at  the  bottom  set  to  convey  the  damp  from  them  into  the  open  air  which 
too  otherwise  would  annoy  the  workmen  even  to  death."  From  the  furnaces  they 
bring  the  Sows  and  piggs  when  broken  asunder  to  the  Forges  ;  these  are  of  2  sorts, 
commonly  standing  together  under  the  same  roof,  one  called  the  Finery  the  other 
Chafery — both  open  hearths  upon  which  they  place  great  heaps  of  Coal,  blown  by 
bello  vs  like  to  those  of  the  furnaces  and  compressed  the  same  way  but  nothing 
near  so  large.  In  these  two  forges  they  give  the  Sow  and  piggs  5  severall  heats  be- 
fore they  are  perfectly  wrought  into  barrs.  First  in  the  Finery  they  are  melted 
down  as  thin  as  lead,  where  the  metall  in  an  hour  thickens  to  a  lump  called  loop  ; 
this  they  bring  to  the  great  Hammer  raised  by  the  motion  of  a  Waterwheel  and 
first  beat  it  into  a  thick  square,  a  half  bloom — secondly  put  it  into  the  Finery  for 
half  an  hour  then  bring  it  to  the  same  Hammer  when  they  work  it  iuto  a  bloom, 
which  is  a  square  bar  in  the  middle  and  two  square  knobs  at  the  end,  one  mu  h 
less  than  the  other  the  smaller  the  Ancony  the  larger  the  Mocket  head.  This  is 
all  they  do  at  the  Finery.  Then  the  Ancony  end  is  brought  to  the  Chapery  where 
after  being  heated  for  a  quarter  of  an  hour  it  is  brought  to  the  Hammer  and  beat 
quite  out  into  such  bars  as  they  think  fittest  for  Sale.  Whereof  those  for  rodds  are 
carryed  to  the  Slitting  Mills,  where  they  first  break  or  cut  them  cold  by  the  force 
of  one  of  the  wheels  into  short  lengths  ;  next  heated  red  hot  &  brought  singly  to 
rollers  by  which  they  are  drawn  even  &  to  a  greater  length;  another  workman 
takes  them  whilst  hot  &  puts  them  through  cutters  of  divers  sizes — then  another 
lays  them  straight  whilst  hot,  and  when  cold  binds  them  into  faggots,  then  they 
are  fitting  for  Sale. 

Thus  I  have  given  an  account  of  the  Ironworks  of  Staffordshire,  as  they  are  now 
exercised  in  their  perfection,  the  improvement  whereof  we  shall  find  very  great  if 
we  look  back  upon  the  methods  of  our  ancestors,  wlio  made  iron  in  foot  blasts  or 
bloomeries  by  mens  treading  the  bellows,  making  but  a  little  lump  or  bloom  of 
iron  in  a  day,  not  100  weight  leaving  as  much  iron  in  the  sla?  as  they  got  out ; 
whereas  now  they  make  two  or  three  tons  of  cast  iron  in  tweuty-tour  hours,  leaving 
the  slag  so  poore  that  the  founders  cannot  melt  it  again  to  profit. 

The  "  upper  forge  hammor-ditch  "  runs  alongside  the  upper 
forge   pool.       Iron    cinders   still   cover    a   part   of  the    pool 


144  Stone  Cross,  Tong  Norton,  Timlet. 

embankment.     At  %t  the  way  and  steping  stones  "  is  a  foot- 
road  still. 

"  The  bridge  below  lower  forge,  where  was  a  Gospell  read," 
is  now  called  Upper  Timlet  Bridge  or  the  Forge  bridge.  This 
road  leads  direct  to  the  Stone  Cross  at  Tong  Norton. 
Whether  this  is  the  site  of  an  old  preaching  cross  I  know  not. 

Tong  Norton  had  a  separate  history  from  Tong  as  early  as 
1 167,  when  each  was  fined  for  an  offence  against  the  Forest 
Laws.  Stone  Crosses  were  erected  first  in  653.  When 
Churches  were  rare,  and  clergymen  were  sent  from  episcopal 
monasteries  to  preach,  they  did  so  in  the  open  air  at  a  cross, 
until  the  advantages  of  religion  induced  the  lords  to  build 
churches,  f  By  the  will  of  an  Oxford  Collegiate  Dignitary, 
dated  1447,  Stone  Crosses  were  directed  to  be  put  up  "  of  the 
usual  kind,  where  dead  bodies  are  rested  on  the  way  to  their 
burial,  that  prayers  may  be  made,  and  the  bearers  take  some 
rest."*     In  Brittany  they  are  common  yet. 

Timlett  Bridge,  i.e.,  Timlett  Hollow,  the  bridge  carrying 
the  road  from  Shifnal  to  Tong.  An  inhabitant  of  Timlet 
Hollow  informs  me  that  the  man  who  kept  horses  to  do 
nothing  else  but  cart  the  ore  to  the  Forge,  died  about  56 
years  ago  ;  and  that  his  father,  who  lived  by  the  "loom-hole," 
2  miles  away,  used  to  hear  the  forge  hammer  very  plainly, 
"and  could  always  tell  when  it  was  a  going  to  rain  by  its 
sound." 

"  Will.  Colemore,  Esq."  was,  I  suppose,  a  previous  owner 
of  Shackerley  property. 

"  Fitcherbot  Esqr.,"  one  of  the  Fitzherberts,  owners  of 
historic  Boscobel. 

The  "Keepers  Meadows"  are  those  adjoining  the  brook, 
where  it  bends  from  a  N.E.  to  an  easterly  direction  on  the 
east  side  of  Tong  Park  House.     The  name  is  still  retained. 

•)  Hist,  of  Hawarden.        *  Building  News. 


Marl  ano  Maklpits  in  Tong.  14$ 

Mr.  How's  bond  hedge.  — Mr.  How  seems  to  have  been  a 
large  occupier,  and  without  his  bond  hedge — which  may  mean 
a  boundary  hedge,  or  one  newly  pleached  down — the  boundary 
would  have  puzzled  Mr.  Pietier  to  describe,  judging  from  the 
repetition  of  the  name. 

Marl  is  a  red  earth,  brittle  when  dry,  but  if  wetted  becomes 
adhesive  and  clayey.  "  A  Marie  Pitt  in  Mill  Field."  This 
is  in  Meashill  farm.  The  dressing  of  land  with  marl  was  very 
much  in  vogue  years  ago,  judging  by  the  numberless  marl 
pits  in  this  and  the  adjoining  parishes.  Then  the  profitable 
production  of  wheat  warranted  the  farmer  in  going  to  con- 
siderable expense  in  preparing  his  land  for  that  crop  ;  but 
now,  alas  !  this  is  not  the  case  and  agriculture  pines.  As 
early  as  1260  the  Marlpit  of  Methplekes  was  referred  to  in  an 
action  against  Wm.  de  Harcourt,  as  to  a  tenement  in  Tong,. 
and  as  to  a  Charter  of  Alan  la  Zouche,  seignoral  lord, 
granting  "  the  land  which  Robert  de  Betterton  [Beighterton] 
held  in  the  Barude  [Brewood],  also  his  waste  near  the  Pole 
between  the  Wood  and  the  Marlpit  of  Methplekes  against  the 
road  which  passes  from  Tong  towards  the  Wood,  also  the 
Brod-more,  &c."  The  field  adjoining  the  old  barn  field  bears- 
the  name  of  Marlpit  Leasow  too.  The  large  holes  by  the 
roadside  indicate  the  spot  whence  the  earth  was  taken. 
The  land  where  these  pits  are  is  naturally  retentive  of 
moisture.  Very  likely  the  marl  was  carted  to  other  places  in' 
the  Parish  or  Manor  where  the  soil  is  lighter  and  sandy. 
I  find  Neachley  was  the  Grange  or  Farm  of  White  Ladies 
Abbey,  and  the  use  of  marl  there  would  probably  be  suitable 
and  efficacious. 

In  the  amusing  "  Chronicles  of  a  Clay  Farm/'"  we  find  an 
account  of  some  Marl  Pits,  which  puzzled  the  young  farmer  :• 

"Amongst  the  legacies  which  the  wi  dom  and  labours  of  antiquity  had 
bequeathed  to  the  Clay  Farm  and  its  cultivators,  one  of  the  most  euricutf  and1 
truly  puzzling  was  a  quantity  of  Marl-pits,  In  every  field  of  5  or  &  acres'  w£s  * 
great  yawning  *  pit/ 

T 


146  Lime  and  Marl. 

And  Sir  Anthony  Fitzherbert  in  his  Boke  of  Husbandrie 
published  in  1523,  frequently  mentions  the  employment  of 
Marl  ;  but  in  his  list  of  Manures  omits  Lime  altogether  ;  and 
this  is  extraordinary  when  we  find  a  writer  on  the  same 
subject  some  70  years  before,  declare  that  u  Lime  even  close 
to  the  kiln  was  dearer  than  oats  "  ;  and  when  we  consider 
that  all  produce  was  carried  away  by  pack-horse,  so  that 
lime-drawing  would  have  been  too  expensive  to  pay. \ 

It  is  thus  easy  to  see  that  our  forefathers  had  good  reason 
for  making  the  Marlpit  do  duty  for  the  Limekiln. 

"  Human  instinct  and  experience  had  discovered  the  top  of  something  which 
neither  rain  nor  sunshine,  nor  even  farm  yard  manure  deprived  of  their  elements 
could  restore,   before  sulphates  or  phosphates  had  been  christened  ;  hence  the- 
Marl-pits." 

Theory :   "  This  field,  for  instance,  what  does  it  want  ? " 

Practice  :  "  Lime." 

Theory:  "Why?" 

Practice  :  "  Because  it  would  sweeten  it." 

Theory  :  "  But  why  ? "  and  Practice  ia  silent  after  centuries  of  experience. 

The  Chemist  says:  "Its  effect  arises  from  its  avidivy  for  combination  ;  it 
searches  out  free  acids,  as  a  ferret  does  a  rat,  and  instantly  closes  with  them 
Sulphuric,  pbosporic,  silicic,  nitric,  humic,  and  last  not  least,  the  'Gr*-atl>is 
►  olver,'  Carbonic  acid  ;  all  these  it  makes  known  by  seizing  upon  them  and  bee  m 
ing  their  ba^e  ;  thus  disintegrating,  as  it  were,  and  reconstructing  the  elem  nt«  0 
the  soil,  and  exciting  to  a  new  action  the  sluggards  of  Nature  wherever  t:ev  ?  re- 
lurking.  It  is  the  Composer  and  Decomposer,  for  natute  cacnot  suffer  either 
process,  but  fertility  must  follow :  re-compositiou  (growth)  has  begun  ere  decom- 
position is  over :  does  a  latent  atom  of  organic  matter  stand  inert  for  one  instant 
it  is  at  him  like  a  Policeman, — '  Came,  kip  moovin'  .r '  " 

The  ancient  De  Hugefort  deed  is  translated  as  follows: — 

"  And  that  they  [the  monks]  may  have  all  liberty  and  free  common  in  woods,  in 
plains,  in  highways,  in  paths,  in  waters,  in  mills,  in  heaths,  in  turbaries,  in 
quarries,  in  fisheries,  in  marl-pits,  and  in  all  other  places,  and  easements  to  1he 
aforesaid  unniir  of  Tonge  belonging,  and  that  they  may  take  marl  at  their  pleasure- 
to  marl  their  land. '  * 

Here  may  be  mentioned  the  curious  grant  of  Roger  la 
Zouche  to  Henry  de  Hugefort,  thus  described  by  Mr.  Cox  : — 

"  In  after  time**  we  find  Roger  Zouche  of  Ashby  to  be  Lord  of  this  Manor  of 
Tonge,   and  tnaT   h^>   did   by  a   fair    Deed,    u  der  his   Seal,    on   which  was  his. 

*  Translation  supplied  by  the  late  Rev.  W.  AUport  Leigkton. 


Hogs— Th"  Chaplet  of  Roses  — Horses.  147 

Pourtraiture  on  Horseback  in  a  Military  Habit,  grant  unto  Henry  Hugefort,  and. 
his  Heirs  three  Yardlands,  thre*  Mt-ssuages  and  certa  n  Weds  in  Norton  and 
Shawf  in  this  Parish  of  Tonge,  with  Paunage  for  a  great  Numb-r  of  Hogs  in  the 
Woods  belonging  to  this  his  Manur  ;  also  Liberties  of  Fishing  in  all  his  Waters 
there,  except  in  the  J  great  Pool  of  Tonge,  with  other  privilege**,  viz.  :  of  gathering 
Nuts  in  his  woods  there,  &c  ,  rei  dring  yearly  to  him  tue  said  Roger  and  his 
ideirs,  a  Chaplet  of  Roses  upon  the  Feast  of  the  Nativity  of  St.  John  Baptist,  in 
case  he  or  tbey  shall  be  at  Tonge,  if  not,  then  to  be  i  ut  upon  the  Image  of  the 
blessed  Virgin  in  the  Chnrch  of  Tonge,  for  all  Services,  Suits  of  Court,  &c  " 

This  quit-rent  of  a  Wreath  of  Roses  is  recorded  among-  the 
rents  due  from  the  free  tenants  of  the  Manor  to  Sir  Fulco  de 
Pembruge,  who  died  1296.  A  visitor  to  Tong  a  century  ago 
observed  a  garland  upon  the  Pembruge  tomb.  Probably 
placed  then  upon  the  oldest  monument  of  the  Lords  of  Tong 
on  the  previous  24th  of  June,  it  commemorated  the  ancient 
custom,  though  not  in  the  strict  letter,  which  was  impossible 
seeing  that  the  Image  of  the  Virgin  had  been  removed  from 
the  Church.     Mr.  Lawrence  says  he  renewed  the  custom.* 

The  "  mill  field,"  about  an  acre,  is  not  clearly  distinguished, 
but  it  may  be  the  bit  south  of  the  marl  pits.  The  mill  must 
have  been  the  one  where  Humphrey  Pendrell  carried  on  his 
business,  now  known  as  Shackerley  Mill,  formerly  pertaining 
to  the  Convent  of  White  Ladies. 

"  Ambling  meadow,"  possibly  where  the  same  ladies  of  the 
Nunnery  rode  their  palfreys. 

In  those  days  they  rode  astride  like  the  men.  Chaucer 
tells  us  how  they  rode  : — 

Upou  an  ambler  esily  she  sat, 
Y  wimpled  well,  and  on  hire  hede  an  hat, 
As  brode  as  is  a  bokeler,  or  a  targe. 
A  fote-manfcel  about  hire  hippes  large, 
And  on  hire  feto  a  pair  of  sporres  sharpe. 

"  No  sporres  sharpe  "  were  needed  when  the  sensational 
"Sir  Hugo"  won  The  Derby  for  Lord  Bradford  in  1892,  a 
year  in  which  there  were  259  entries,  the  fourth  largest  num- 

t  Names  still  distinguishing  part  of  the  Parish.     J  The  great  poole— query,  Norton  Merc. 
*  Vide  paper  read  at  Archaeological  Society's  visit. 


148  Salt-Making— Tong  Lakb  Tournament. 

ber  on  record  ;  nor  can  many  parishes  boast,  as  Tong  can,  to 
have  been  the  galloping  ground  of  a  Derby  winner,  whose 
owner  owned  the  land  and  bred  the  colt. 

The  Abbies  and  Convents  had  to  get  their  own  salt  made, 
it  seems;  and  I  read,  I  think,  in  an  article  of  Mr.  H.  F.J. 
Vaughan's — whether  he  was  quoting  from  Eyton's  Antiquities 
of  Shropshire  or  not  I  forget — that  the  salt  works  of  Lilleshall 
Abbey  were  at  Donnington  near  Albrighton.  The  following 
letter  throws  some  light  on  Salt-making  : — 

Letter  from  Roger  Bedall,  3  Dec, ,  about  1542. 
Right  worshypple  masters,  my  dewty  rememberyd,  I  have  me  commendyd  unto 
yow,  sertyfying  yow  that  your  servanttes  bathe  demawndyd  of  me  serten  salte  that 
the  abbye  of  Bordynley  hade  yerly,  for  the  whiche  sawlte  that  was  laste  made  I 
have  payd  to  Mr.  Ttiomas  Evans  liij*.  iiijd.  Consytheryng  the  chargys  fierto 
belongyng,  1  thynke  hyt  be  all  payd,  soo  ther  ys  no  more  dewe  to  ba  payd  as  yet ; 
for  Bordysley  salte  ys  wont  to  be  made  alweys  betwene  Estur  and  Penteycoste. 
The  chargys  that  belongythe  to  the  salte  makyng 

Item,  for  the  salte  makyng is. 

Item,  for  the  cuttyng  of  the  wod ija. 

Item,  for  the  beryng  of  the  bryne xvjd. 

Item,  for  the  drawyng  of  the  bryne : vd. 

Item,  for  the  reparacyon  of  the  fates  [vats] xvjd. 

Also,  for  the  getheryng  of  the  rent 

and  the  makyng  of  the  salte,   my 

ffee  is  yerly  a  lyverye  cote  and ...vj«.  viji 

To  the  ryght  worshypple 
Mr.  Scuddamore  and  Mr. 
Bargoenye  thyg  be 
delyvered  with  sped,  dd. 

With  regard  to  Tong  Lake,   a  sheet  of  water  of  some  21 

acres  in  extent,  the  following  old  placard  has  been  sent  me  by 

John  H.  Clarke  of  Tong  Norton  : — 

Programme 

OF  THE  TOURNAMENT  ON  THE  LAKE  AT  TONG 

MONDAY,  SEPTEMBER  16th,  1839. 

The  Cecilia,  Lotus,  and  Water  Witch,  having  four  Champions  and  a  Bugle  man, 
with  the  Crew  of  each  Boat  in  uniform  to  correspond  with  the  Flags,  will  start 
from  Vauxhall  Gardens  at  12  O'clock  make  a  circuit  round  the  Lake,  and  draw  up 
to  front  of  the  Fairy  Isle,  from  whence  the  Queen  of  Love  and  Beauty  will  give  the 


Tonq  Lake  Tournament. 


149 


signal  by  lowering  her  flag  for  the  Cannon  to  fire  and  the  Tilting  to  commence 
which  will  be  performed  during  their  procession  round  the  Islands.  When  the 
B  >ats  meet  the  Bugles  sound  the  Charge,  and  the  Cb amnion  standing  on  the  stern, 
with  his  Lance  advanced,  will  endeavour  to  overthrow  his  antagonist. 

The  Vanquished  will  be  immediately  succeeded  by  another  Champion  till  the 
whole  have  been  encountered,  when  the  two  last  will  receive  the  Prizes  from  the 
Queen  of  Love  and  Beauty. 

The  Gold  Purse  to  the  Champion  who  has  vanquished  the  greatest  number,  and 
the  Silver  Purse  to  the  other. 

When  the  Tilting  is  finished  the  following  Coracles — 
Neptune-        -        -        -        Colour 
Nautilus 
Mermaid 
Porpoise 
Jim  Crow 
Duck  'em 
Will  start  from  Vauxhall  Gardens,  make  the 
front  of  the  Fairy  Isle,  when  the  Queen  of  Love  and  Beauty  will  give  the  signal  by 
lowering  her  Flag  for  the  Cannon  to  fire,  and  the  Race  to  Commence  round  the 
Western  Island. 

The  first  Coracle  that  returns  to  the  Starting  Post  will  be  entitled  to  the  Ladies 
Purse. 

All  the  Champions  who  are  overthrown  and  unsuccessful  Competitors  in  the 
Race  will  receive  a  handsome  remuneration. 

George  Hbmpenstall,  Seneschal 
Francois  de  Vos,  Maitre  D'Armes 
John  Swan 


-  Red 

-  Blue 

-  White 

-  Yellow 

-  Red  &  White 

-  Blue  &  White 

our  of  the  Lake,  and  draw  up  In 


John  Wedge 


Wardens 


W.  Parke,  Wolverhampton  (Printer). 

There  is  a  grandeur  about  this  programme  worthy  of  old 
times  !  Who  were  the  Champions,  and  the  Bugleman  ?  The 
Seneschal  we  know,  and  the  Wardens  are  old  Tong  names  ; 
and  was  the  Fairy  Isle  the  same  as  the  reed  bank  of  to-day  ? 
Above  all,  who  was  the  Queen  of  Love  and  Beauty  ?  Or  were 
there  two  Queens  ?  What  a  charming  "Queen  of  Love  "  little 
Miss  Sybil  Kenyon  Slaney  would  be. 

Four  Champions  in  three  boats  sounds  awkward.  Probably 
they  carried  long  lances  and  thrust  at  each  other,  as  was  done 
by  Tilting  Knights  on  horseback  in  old  times.  The  horses 
were  set  at  a  gallop,  and  the  shock  of  a  lance-thrust,  received 
at  such  a  pace,  may  better  be  imagined  than  described.  The 
lance  was  often  broken,  or  the  rider  unhorsed.     The  legend 


150  Tong  Lakb—  Coracles — Tong  Factory. 

on  Marmion's  shield,  Sir  Walter  Scott  tells  us,  ran 

"  Who  checks  at  me  to  death  is  dyghte." 

A  few  old  tilting  lances  are  preserved  in  the  Tower  of  London  ; 
they  are  of  light  wood,  and  from  memory  I  should  guess  them 
to  be  about  15ft.  long,  and  3  or  4  inches  through  at  the  butt 
end. 

The  Coracle  is  a  small  wicker  boat,  the  ancient  British 
Curwgll,  which  a  man  can  carry  on  his  back,  and  is  rowed 
with  one  oar.  It  requires  skilful  manipulation,  or  easily  cap- 
sizes. Old  fishermen  on  the  Severn,  near  Shrewsbury,  are 
very  clever  with  the  coracle,  and  it  is  still  used  on  some  rivers 
in  Wales  and  Ireland. 

Some  names  are  readily  traceable  to  occupations.  Hempen- 
stall,  ;£io  worth  of  hemp  or  flax  was  to  be  bought  by  Lord 
Pierpoint's  Will,  to  be  worked  up  by  the  poor,  and  then  sold  to 
apprentice  poor  children.  He  also  bequeathed  a  sum  to  buy 
Staffordshire  or  "  Shalloon  "  wool  to  be  worked  up  by  the 
poor,  and  when  woven,  to  allow  each  widow  a  gown.  There 
was  a  room  over  the  College  porch  belonging  to  the  Manufac- 
tory. 

Items  in  Heayse's  accounts  occur  which  probably  relate  to 
this  factory  : — 

1803.  Mrs  Andrews — Repairing  the  washing  mill,  Is.  ;  a  board  for  the  washing 
mid  &..-.,  2a.  8d.  ;  webbing  for  the  mill,  auu  b-dhs,  4d. 

The  woik-house  or  factory  was  at  Tong  Norton,  a  thatched 
building. 

The  Wedges  are  numerous  in  Tong  ;  and  old  John  Wedge, 
who  lived  at  Neachley  Brook,  a  worthy  old  man,  was  a  walk- 
ing compendium  on  Tong  parish  matters.  The  name 
is  undoubtedly  traceable  to  occupation  at  the  Forge 
or  Forge  hammer,  or  Wheels.  John  Wedge  it  seems  won 
the  coracle  match  and  £2,  and  Abraham  Hempenstall  the 
tilting  match.  There  were  supposed  to  be  3,000  persons 
present  and  300  carriages! 

t  Ex.  Salopian  Journal,  1839. 


Clockmakers  of  Tong.  i5r 

William  Wootley. — He  was  clerk  in  1801,  and  a  clock- 
maker  ot  no  small  repute,  who  carried  on  his  business  at 
Tong  Hill.  The  late  Charles  J.  Horton  (who  gave  me  a 
a  curious  Tudor  Jug,  with  Medallion  of  Queen  Mary,  which 
belonged  to  his  grandmother)  told  me  that  Woolley  got  the 
"  works  "  for  his  clocks  from  Coventry.  The  Earl  of  Brad- 
ford has  a  clock  of  his  make,  as  also  have  James  Tetherton, 
of  Park  Pales,  Mrs.  Alice  Turner  (Charles  J.  Horton's  niece),. 
William  Stevenson,  of  Cross  Roads,  whose  parents  had  it 
70  years  ago.  Woolley  was  an  apprentice  of  John  Baddeley,. 
blacksmith,  of  Tong,  who  made  Sheriffhales  clock,  and  was 
"  Clockmaker  to  King  George,"  as  I  am  told.  Mrs.  George 
Parker  (now  Salter)  has  a  clock  made  by  "  Baddeley,  Tong." 
She  is  a  daughter  of  a  worthy  old  Foreman  of  Labourers, 
now  disabled,  named  Samuel  Greatbach.  He  found  a  piece 
of  the  old  Forge  mill-wheel.  John  Jones,  of  Tong  Lodge 
(uRosy  Jones"),  had  a  clock  made  by  Woolley  &  Son,. 
Albrighton,  His  wife  is  a  Salter,  one  of  the  oldest  families  of 
Tong.  George  Salter  was  one  of  the  Manorial  Jury  in  1719 
who  knew  the  "  Manor  Boundarye."  Benjamin  Andrews* 
father,  of  Tong  Norton,  made  the  frames  for  these  clocks. 
It  seems  Thomas  Ore  was  also  a  Tong  clockmaker,  and 
made  the  present  sundial  at  Tong  in  1776.  They  are  "grand- 
father "  clocks,  and  it  was  the  custom  for  each  young  couple 
who  got  married  to  have  one  of  "  Woolley's  "  clocks. 

There  is  a  Salter's  Hall  at  Newport,  possibly  a  name  deriv- 
able in  connection  with  the  fish-salting  there. 

In  1808  Heayse's  accounts  refer  to  William  Woolley,  Esq.: 
In  181 1  he  lived  at  Neachley.  In  1808  Heayse  put  up  a 
bridge  at  Butters  Brook  for  Mr.  W.  Jones,  of  Tong  Parish, 
costing  17/6.  Which  brook  is  this?  In  1809,  James 
Ellis  came  to  work  for  him  at  1/6  a  day.  In  181 3,  Nov.  14, 
Mr.  Smith,  of  Weston — 2  pair  of  large  stocks,  £1  5s.  od. ; 


152  Names  and  Sayings. 

Newport,  at  the  Fair,  cash  7/- ;  Easter  week,  £1  J  Codsall 
Wake,  5/r ;  Emingham's  cocking,  4/-  (what  is  this?); 
stockings,  3/6 ;  Wake,  10/6 ;  cash,  Nov.  26,  gallowses  and 
ale ;  cash  for  a  Harper,  4/-  ;  brass  for  cards,  6d. ;  cash, 
£1  is.  od.,  old  Nan.  "  Clew"  means  a  ring  at  the  head  of  a 
scythe,  from  the  Anglo  Saxon.  Mr.  Clews  was  a  tenant  in 
Tong,  lately,  whose  father  was  gardener  to  Lord  Bradford. 
"Jimmy  Beresford,  the  artist,"  says  "  they  soul  at  Tong,  and 
always  have  done,"  i.e.,  on  All  Souls'  Day,  and  that  if  you 
bring  the  spade  or  pikel  in  the  house  they  say  "  ther'll  be  a 
death  in  the  family."  Also,  "  the  crows  whirling  about  is  a 
sign  of  rain  !  "  Milner  is  a  corruption  of  Miller,  and  Great- 
batch  from  the  batch  of  flour  baked  at  one  baking,  or  brought 
from  the  mill.  Picken  suggests  an  occupation,  and  Gamble 
is  from  gambrel.  Bourne  is  a  boundary  stream.  Haighway 
from  John  •■'  of  the  highway."  Yate  and  Yates  from  gate. 
Crowther  a  player  on  an  ancient  violin. 

In  1 88 1,  the  population  of  Tong  was  498  ;  in  1801,  404  ;  m 
1831,  510.     In  1891,  population  445. 

Some  other  local  sayings  are,  "  to  scratch  for  the  'adlant," 
i.e.,  hurry  to  reach  a  place  before  a  certain  time;  "hussel," 
household  goods  ;  "  with  a  jaundiced  eye,"  t>„  evil  and 
prejudiced,"  "  twarly,"  illtempered  :  "  it  rained  cats  and  dogs 
at  his  funeral/'  a  sure  sign  of  a  not  very  good  life  !  "By  the 
dumpty  derry,"  a  jocular  oath;  "  Wrong  way  of  the  Charley/' 
misconstrued  or  perverted  intention  ;  "  gallus,"  a  wag. 

Of  names  we  find  Leichfield,  the  field  of  dead  corpses, 
hence  lich-gates  to  church-yards. — Newport  means  the  new 
haven,  or  way ;  Parker,  keeper  of  a  park,  or  to  inclose  ;. 
Pierepoint  de  petra  ponte  ;  Shuker  means  a  bender  ;•  Stanley, 
a  stony  hill  ;  Taylor,  from  Tailere,  to  cut  ;  Twiss,  a  twin  ; 
Vernon,   green-springing,  or  a  town  in  Normandy. * 

•E-a.  Gough-'s  Myddlfr. 


Names  and  Places -Rare  Birds.  153 

The  name  of  HARTLEY  will  long  be  associated  with  the 
tenancy  of  Tong  Castle.  The  late  Mr.  John  Hartley  died  in 
his  72nd  year.  He  was  a  deputy  lieutenant  for  Staffordshire, 
and  J. P.  for  Stafford  and  Salop  Counties,  one  of  the  partners 
in  Chance  &  Sons'  well-known  Glass  Works,  and  later  a 
partner  with  his  brothsr-in-law,  Major  Thorneycrott,  J. P.,  in 
Messrs.  G.  B.  Thorneycroft  &  Co.'s  large  Ironworks  and 
Collieries,  a  member  of  the  Royal  Coal  Commission  and  chair- 
man of  the  South  Staffordshire  Iron  Trade,  and  many  years  a 
Director  of  the  L.  &  N.W.  Railway.  Mr.  Hartley  married  in 
1839,  Emma,  a  daughter  of  Mr.  G.  B.  Thorneycroft,  of 
Wolverhampton,  the  lady  who  now  resides  at  Tong  Castle, 
and  interests  herself  much  in  promoting  the  happiness  of  her 
friends,  and  the  cottagers. 

There  seem  to  have  been  four  public-houses  in  Tong,  if  not 
more.     There  were  three  at  Tong  Norton,  via. : — 

The  Horse  Shoes,  where  George  Meddings  now  lives,  near  the  Smithy. 
The  Bush,  in  the  hollow,  formerly  kept  by  Mrs.  Jane  Jones. 
The  Plough,  at  the  north  end  of  the  shaw  Lane  ;  and 
The  Red  House  was  an  Inn  in  Tong  Village. 

Birds  of  some  rarity  are  frequent  visitors  to  Tong,  and 
they  have  been  noted  in  the  7  ransactions  of  the  Shropshire 
Archaeological  Society  (vol.  iii. ,  pt.  4,  &c),  from  communica- 
tions furnished  by  Colonel  the  Hon.  F.  C.  Bridgeman,  M.P. 
of  Neachley,  who,  like  his  father,  the  Earl  of  Bradford,  is  an 
ardent  naturalist  ;  they  include  Grebes,  Herons,  Pochards, 
&c. 

Reliable  contributions  of  that  kind  are  always  appreciated 
by  the  Society,  whose  operations  now  are  so  undervalued, 
alas  1 


THE     DURANT     FAMILY. 

OME  account  of  Mr.  Durant's  family  is  given  on 
pages  89  to  92.  The  following  addenda  may  be  of 
interest. 


Probably  few  country  paiishes  bear  more  striking  marks  of 
a  family's  ownership  than  does  that  of  Tong.  Whether  these 
are  calculated  to  increase  our  respect  for  the  name  or  other- 
wise is  not  for  me  to  say.  Certainly  many  old  landmarks 
were  demolished  or  lost  sight  of  in  that  time,  notably  the 
College,  the  Almshouses,  and  Sir  Harry  Vernon's  picturesque 
Castle  itself;  but  on  the  other  hand,  large  sums  of  money 
were  spent  greatly  in  the  employment  of  labour — and  there- 
fore deserving  of  high  commendation  — in  forming  water 
carriers,  in  rebuilding  the  Castle,  in  razing  old  and  ugly 
dwellings,  and  in  the  erection  of  new  ones.  On  the  whole 
perhaps  a  more  judicious  and  discriminating  use  of  his  means 
would  have  commended  itself  to  all  who  know  the  place  at 
the  present  time.  About  1760  Mr.  Durant  purchased  Tong 
Castle  and  Estate  from  the  Duke  of  Kingston,  and  he 
appears  forthwith  to  have  commenced  to  chop  off  the  strag- 
gling parts  of  the  old  Castle,  and  to  reface  the  main  building 
with  the  mixed  Moorish  and  Gothic  exterior  forming  the  im- 
posing facade  which  now  presents  itself  to  our  view,  and  to 
carry  out  his  other  "  improvements." 

The  ownership  by  Mr.  Durant  and  his  family  extended  to 
within   a  few  years  of  a  century,  and  Mrs.  F.  O.  Durant's- 


The  Durant  Family.  ire 

decease  and  her  son's  change  of  residence  from  the  neigh- 
bouring town  of  Shifnal  sever  the  last  link  which  associated 
that  name  with  the  district.  I  append  a  letter  from  the  elder 
Mr.  Edwin  Durant. 

Shifnal,  8  Sf-pt.,  1884. 

My  Dkar  Sir, — I  reyret  it  is  not  in  my  power  to  give  jou  any  particulars  of 
importance  of  my  "blessed"  ancestors. 

Th«  tablet  thing  the  name"*  of  children  who  were  then  alive  (and  which  ^  as 
erec*<-d  by  my  grandfather)  does  not  contain  all  the  names  bv  some  hdf  score,  as 
my  Father  Francis  Ossian,  and  Mav,  who  *re  buried  in  our  vault,  were  tren  living 
as  well  as  Em  est  Beanfoy  and  Ausrustus.  (These  3  last,  T  think,  are  not  buried  at 
ToDg.     B,  and  A.  are  not,  but  I  am  rot  quite  sure  about  Ernrst). 

Wouid  it  not  be  well  to  mention  that  the  sketch  of  "Little  Nell"  in  Dickens's 
work  is  taken  trom  long  Church  ? 

Faithfully  yours, 

EDWIN  DURANT. 

It  is  said  (1893)  that  on  the  Durant  Tomb  being  opened  for  the  burial  of  Mr. 
and  Mrs.  F.  0.  Durant  there  was  found  half-a-crown  on  the  coffin  of  one  already 
buried  there,  it  b-ing  the  legacy  left  that  person  by  Mr.  Durant,  and  which  person 
refused  to  receive  it  during  life— so  it  was  placed  on  his  coffin  after  death,  and  so 
paid. 

George  Durant,  Esq.,  purchased  the  Castle,  &c. ,  in  1760, 
having  married  Maria,  daughter  of  Mark  Beaufoy,  Esq., 
leaving  a  large  family. 

Mr.  George  Durant,  his  son,  was  a  minor  at  his  father's 
death  in  1780.  He  married  first  Miss  Eld  of  Seighford,  and 
secondly,  in  1830,  Celeste,  daughter  of  M.  Caesar  Lafefve. 
By  his  first  marriage  he  had  issue  a  son,  George  Stanton  Eld, 
who  predeceased  him,  but  leaving  a  son,  George  Charles 
Selwyn,  who  sold  Tong  Castle  Estate  in  1855  to  the  Earl  of 
Bradford. 

The  following  pages  are  of  private  rather  than  of  general 
value,  and  the  result  of  stray  notes  made  during  the  frequent 
sight  of  these  which  may  be  properly  termed,  lt  Durant 
Oddities,"  dating  from  the  second  Mr.  Durant's  period, 
called  Col.  Durant.  They  may  be  of  secondary  interest  now, 
but  simple  accounts  of  familiar  objects  become  dignified  by 


156  The  Hermitage  and  Convent  Lodge. 

lapse  of  time,  and  to  their  happy  preservation  are  we  indebted 
for  some  valuable  details  of  the  domestic  history  of  bygone 
days.  I  venture  to  think  that  such  records  also  make  us 
regret  the  less  the  necessitous  removal  of  those  old  things 
themselves,  which  modern  requirements  have  rendered  in- 
convenient or  perhaps  valueless. 

The  Hermitage  at  Tong,  to  be  seen  from  the  Albrighton 
Road,  is  so  called  from  the  fact  that  a  miserable  poor  half- 
witted man  once  chose  to  dwell  in  a  cave-like  place  cut  in  the 
rock  behind  it.  He  dressed  himself  in  a  kind  of  tunic  or 
coarse  cloth,  and  wore  a  long  white  untrimmed  beard.  He  is 
said  to  have  been  a  gentleman  who  had  seen  better  days.  He 
got  together  some  money  at  one  time,  but  afterwards  lost  it, 
and  for  several  years  chose  to  inhabit  this  dismal  cavern. 

Mr.  Hubert  Smith,  in  Shrops.  Trans. ,  vol.  1,  p.  171,  says 
he  was  called  Carolus,  but  his  real  name  was  Charles  Evans. 
He  died  in  a  house  at  the  back  of  the  Castle,  says  the  Gentle- 
mans  Magazine  of  1822.  "Oct.  6,  Shropshire:  C.  Evans, 
better  known  by  the  name  of  Carolus,  the  Hermit  of  Tong, 
where  he  had  lived  seven  years  in  a  lonely  and  romantic  cell, 
on  the  domain  of  G.  Durant,  Esq." 

Near  by  this  place  and  the  Convent  Lodge  is  a  handsome 
octagonal  stone  Pulpit,  six  sides  of  which  have  open  tracery. 
It  is  built  upon  one  of  the  wing  walls  on  the  south  side  of  the 
massive  wrought  iron  Gates,  which  form  the  principal 
approach  to  Tong  Castle. 

The  pulpit  is  very  similar  to  the  Oratory  in  the  Abbey 
Yard,  Shrewsbury,  but  is  of  modern  date. 

The  roof  is  of  stone,  and  around  the  outside  on  each  face 
of  the  octagon  are  little  emblems  carved  in  imitation,  or 
perhaps  ridicule,  of  heraldry  and  religion  ;  such  as  the  follow- 
ing :— a  harp,  a  censer,  an  hourglass,  an  axe,  flag  and  spear, 
cross-keys,    a  quatrefoil,    a   mullet,  4  fleur-de-lis  with  hearts 


Entrance  Lodge  to  Tong  Castle.  157 

thereon,  a  bell,  a  crescent,  a  wreath,  cross-spears,  lozenges, 
and  a  Maltese  cross.  Inside  the  Pulpit  is  a  rude  stone  seat 
with  lion-head  ends.  The  doorway  is  on  the  west  side,  and 
is  reached  by  steps  from  the  Convent  Lodge  garden  and 
shrubbery.  On  one  step  we  are  just  able  to  see  the  well- 
known  lines,      I  think  they  are  Tom  Moore's  : — 

The  harp  that  one.  through  Tar  a  s  halls 

The  soul  of  music  shed. 
Now  hangs  as  mute  on  Tara's  Walls, 

As  if  that  soul  were  find. 

In  the  West  wall  of  the  Lodge  itself  a  stone  bears  other 
two  verses  of  the  same  melody  : — 

No  more  to  Chiefs  and  Ladies  bright 

The.  harp  of  Tarn  swells  ; 
The.  Chord  alone,  that  breaks  at  night, 

Its  tale  of  ruin  telte. 

Thw  Fr>  edom  now  so  seldom  wakes, 

The  only  throb  she  gives 
Is  when  some,  heart  indignant  breaks, 

To  shew  that  still  she  lives. 

The  gate-pillars  and  wing-walls  of  the  Entrance  Gates  are 
elaborately  carved  stonework,  of  fantastic  design,  the  coping 
being  crenulated,  and  having  a  continuous  rope-like  cresting 
ending  in  tassels. 

Similar  emblems  to  those  before  named  are  introduced 
upon  the  pillars  ;  and  the  faces  of  the  walls  on  the  side  next 
to  the  high  road  are  relieved  by  stone  entablatures  of  the 
Castle,  viewed  from  the  East  and  West  respectively,  the 
Durant  arms,  &c.  ;  there  are  also  niches,  and  piercings  in 
the  forms  of  a  St.  Andrew's  and  a  Latin  cross.  On  the 
pulpit  is  this  Greek  line  : — 

tov  Otov  (fyofitio-Oe  tov  BacriXea  TL/xaT€ 

These  piercings  appear  in  other  walls  built  in  the  vicinity. 
The  south  wing-wall  is  much  the  longer  of  the  two,  and  its 
terminating  pillar  at  the  south  end  bears  this  inscription  :  — 


*5'8  Approach  to  Tong  Castt  e. 

posteritati  sacrum 

impensis 
geo.:   durant  ar. 

i8ai. 
(Dedicated  to  his  descendants  at  the  expense  of  George  Durant,  Esq.,  1821.)     . 

A  stone  shield  in  the  East  Wall  of  the  Convent  Lodge  has 
upon  it,  a  bend,  between  5  rings  (3  and  2).  This,  I  think,  is 
partly  a  caricature  of  the  arms  of  Sir  Thomas  and  Lady 
Harries  of  Tong  Castle,  or  of  their  youthful  daughter,  Mrs. 
Ann  Wylde,  whose  monument  is  in  Tong  Church. 

Near  to  the  Convent  Lodge  and  within  the  Shrubbery  is  a 
white  stone  pedestal  surmounted  by  a  ball,  bearing  this  in- 
scription : — 

AB    HOC 

MOMENTO 

PENDET 

^TERNITAS 

(On  this  moment  hangs  Eternity.) 

The  two  jaw-bones  of  a  whale  form  an  arch  over  the  gate- 
way on  the  same  drive,  a  little  nearer  to  the  Castle.  Upon 
«ach  is  a  legend.     On  the  north  one  : — 


MORS    JANUA    VIT^E 
(Death  the  Gate  of  Life.) 


On  the  south  one 


POST    TOT    NAUFRAGIA    PORTUM. 
(A  Haven  after  so  many  Storms.) 

The  bones  are  about  16  feet  high,  tapering  from  a  foot  wide 
to  six  inches,  and  are  three  or  four  inches  through  at  the 
thickest  part. 

On  a  stone  pedestal  surmounted  by  a  well-carved  urn  of 
stone  : — 

GEO :     DURANT 

OBT.     r78o. 

Ml  8     46. 

SI     MONUMENTUM 

REQUIRAS 

CIRCUMSPICE. 

(If  you  need  a  memorial  [of  me]  look  around.) 


Fowlhouse — Tong  Prtory,  &c.  159* 

This  epitaph  was  insciibed,  I  believe,  by  Sir  Christopher 
Wren  on  St.  Paul's  Cathedral. 

Over  the  three  shutters,  through  which  coals  are  thrown; 
into  the  Castle  coal-house,  is  the  word  : — 

MAUSOLEUM. 

Other  buildings  upon  the  property  bear  mottoes.  The 
wheelwright  and  coffin-maker's  shop  has  a  stone,  suitably  in- 
scribed : — 

IN     MORTATE    LUCRUM. 
(La  Death,  is,  Gain.) 

On    Vauxhall   Cottage   is    a   semicircular   stone   bearing  in 

colours  a  circular  shield  ( a  fesse  indented a  chief 

ermine)  beneath  a  fleur-de-lis  crest  and  the  *  canting  '  motto  1 — 

BEATI    QUI     DURANT    18101 
(Blessed  are  those  who  endure  ;  or,  Blessed  are  the  Durants.) 

And  near  this  place  is  a  pyramidal  Egyptian  Fowl-house,, 
into  the  sides  of  which  are  built  bricks  with  encaustic  facings- 
having  pictures  of  birds,  and  these  terse  mottoes  : — 

"LIVE    AND    LET    LIVE." 

"SCRAT    BEFORE    YOU'    PECK" 

"TRIAL    BY    JURY." 

"TEACH    YOUR    GRANNY." 

"CAN    YOU    SMELL." 

"GIVE    EVERY    (DOG)     HIS     DUE."     (DAY?) 

"HONESTY    IS    THE    BEST    POLICY."  •  * 

Another  little  pyramidal  building  at  Belle  Isle  Cottage 
bears : — 

"PARVA    SED    APTA." 
(Small  but  convenient) 

Upon  a  classic  monument  in  Tong  Priory  grounds  : — 

M.S. 

Georgh  Hamilton  (Sacred  to  the  Memory 

Legione  Regis  of  George  Hamilton  of 

Armigeri  the       King's       Guards 

In   Bollo  et   Pace  Gentleman.    In  war  and 

Virginti  Annos  petce  he  consecrated!  20. 

Georgian!   Brittanioe  years   (to  the  Georges) 

•  Consecmvit  of    Britain.     Born      14 

Natuni  14  Nov.  177a  Nov.    1770    dbd    1832.) 

Ob.  x83jl 


160  Adam's  Ale— iEoLiAN  Harps. 

In  the  rock  below  the  Castle,  near  where  the  old  mill  stood, 
is  a  Dropping  Well  labelled  : — 

ADAM'S     ALE, 

LICENSED    TO    BE    DRUNK    ON     THE 

PREMISES. 

1838, 

A  two-roomed  Building  \now  used  as  a  foreman's  cottage) 
bears : — 

LOUVRE, 

and  another  Building  near  has  panels  in  style  in  rude  imita- 
tion of  an  Egyptian  man  and  woman.  A  lozenge-shaped 
shield  between  them  has  the  Durant  crest,  arms,  and  motto, 
and  OB.  18  JET  : 

Upon  each  pillar  of  the  Gateway  to  this  little  yard  was  an 
iEolian  Harp,  which  cadenced  sweet  music  to  unappreciative 
animals.  One  of  these  instruments  still  remains  in  a  dilapi- 
dated condition.  Some  eight  lines  upon  a  stone  in  one  of 
these  pillars  are  nearly  illegible.  They  are,  I  find,  after 
much  searching,  taken  from  Sir  Walter  Scott's  "  Lady  of  the 
Lake." 

Harp  of  the  North  I  that  -mouldering  long  hast  hung 

And  down  the  fitful  breeze  thy  numbers  flung, 
Ti'l  envious  ivy  did  around  thee  cling, 
Muffling  with  verdant  ringlet  ro'ru  string— 

Oh  minstrel  harp  1  still  must  thine  accents  sleep  t 
Mid  rustling  leaves  and  fountains  murmuring. 

Still  must  thy  sweeter  sounds  their  silence  keep, 

Nor  bid  a  viarriour  smile  nor  teach  a  maid  to  weep. 

In  the  Park  of  Tong  Castle  is  a  pretty  Dove-house.  (See 
illustration).  There  is  a  similar  one  at  Haughton.  Every 
manor  house  had  its  dove-cot  in  old  times. 

The  north  or  Rosary  Lodge,  the  Round  House  at  the 
Forge,  and  "  the  Hall,"  a  farm-house  in  Tung  (which  latter 
became  Mrs,  Celeste  Durant's),  are  examples  of  fantastic 
brick  structures. 


Dovecot    "• 
Tong     


'//" 


•**.      > 


•\W 


.«~>'^<  The  church  from         "• 
the  west  shewing 
•ruins  •••  w'    ,M  '* 


Respice  Finem.  i6r 

Of  Mr.  Durant's  erections  perhaps  should  be  specially 
mentioned  the  Monument,  which  formerly  stood  on  the  Knoll, 
on  a  site  a  few  yards  east  of  the  Flag  Tower  built  by  the 
present  Earl  of  Bradford  in  1883.  It  was  an  octagonal  cottage 
of  three  stories,  and  had  a  stone  roof  finished  with  a  vane, 
and  was  occupied,  together  with  a  few  acres  of  land,  by  an 
industrious  cottager,  whose  children,  Lord  Bradford  informs 
me,  roamed  amid  the  towering  bracken.  The  story  goes  thus, 
about  Mr.  Durant's  erection.  Built,  in  questionable  taste,  to 
record  Mr.  Durant's  success  in  a  prolonged  law-suit  against 
his  own  wife,  her  annoyed  but  powerless  sons  shared  her 
disgust  at  its  obtrusive  existence,  and  planned  its  destruction. 
While  Mr.  Durant  lay  upon  his  dying  bed  two  barrels  of  gun- 
powder were  placed  in  the  foundations  of  the  monument,  and 
the  same  night  that  saw  his  decease  saw  the  cottage  a  heap 
of  ruins.  A  man  who  now  lives  at  Tong  Hill,  who  was  then 
a  keeper  at  Woodcote  (7  miles  away),  heard  the  detonation, 
ana  was  so- much  alarmed  as  to  attribute  the  unusual  noise  to 
nothing  less  than  a  "  hearthquake." 


Fifty  years  later,  among  some  debris  near,  were  found  some 

FERAMUS," 


stones,  one  inscribed — 


another — 

An.  Jubil.  Quia  quae 

Reg.  Geo.  Ter. 

Oct.  xxv.  mdccclx.  (?) 

And  a  third,  which  becomes  a  fitting  motto  to  conclude  this 
paper — 

RESPICE    FINEM 
"  Remember  the  end  " 


x  QA£)  QAS)  QAS  GAS 
~  <SY3  GYd  GY£  6Y3  GYd  ^ 

<-  *%  if\y  *\\  <j>  v^v  ifj^y  <j>  •  jv  y?> 

Ga5  £a9  GA£>  GAS  GAS  GyviJ  GAS 

GYd  6Y3  GYd  GTd  6Y3  SYd  6YO 


TONG  CHURCH  REGISTERS. 

APTISMS,  marriages,  and  burials  are  all  entered 
promiscuously  down  to  the  death  of  Thomas- 
Hall,  1765. 

We  read  that  registers  were  begun  to  be  kept 
in  every  parish  in  30  Henry  VIII.  (1539^  and. 
by  the  injunctions  of  the  young  King  Edward  VI.  "  all 
parishes  were  to  keep  a  register  booke  in  the  parish  chest." 

Registers  began  by  being  simply  labours  of  love  on  the  part 
of  the  clergy,  and  after  many  years  received  partial  recognition! 
as  public  documents.  In  early  times,  the  Monastic  Registers. 
— priceless  records,  of  which  too  many  were  scattered  during, 
the  fanaticism  which  car.ied  everything  before  it  between  the. 
suppression  of  monasteries  and  the  re-organisation  of  the 
Church — supplied  the  place  of  the  Parish  Registers.  But  as. 
the  deaths  registered  were  as  a  rule  only  those  of  important 
persons,  the  object  being  to  tell  when  masses  became  due„ 
their  value  is  limited.  Ordinary  folk  in  those  ages,  and  long 
subsequently,  contented  themselves  with  private  records,  or 
with  entering  the  births,,  deaths,  and  marriages  of  their 
families  on  the  fly-leaf  of  a  family  Bible,  or,  when  Bibles  were 
scarce,  on  the  blank  pages  of  books  of  devotion.  In  1538 
Thomas  Cromwell  ordained  that  regular  Parish  Registers 
should  be  kept,  in  order  to  meet  the  needs  created  by  the  sup_ 
pression  of  Religious  Houses.  This  injunction,  however,  was. 
carried  out  so  carelessly  that  in  1597  Elizabeth  ordered,  not 
only  that  the  Registers  should  be  better  kept>  but  that  copies- 


Tong  Parish  Registers.  163 

should  be  sent  to  the  Bishops.  During  the  Commonwealth, 
the  Registers  again  fell  into  irregularity,  and  on  the  Restora- 
tion it  was  found  that  many  of  them  were  lost,  probably  having 
been  destroyed.  After  the  Restoration  the  Parish  Registers 
began  to  become  more  interesting,  and  even  entertaining. 
They  contain  notices  of  a  host  of  events,  lay  as  well  as  ecclesi- 
astical, in  addition  to  the  usual  entries  of  births,  deaths,  and 
marriages. 

The  earliest  entry  in  Register  now  in  use  is — 

Thomas  son  of  Edw.  Bistan  and  Joyce  his  wife  h.  Oct.  10  1616 

Roger  Boult  and  Jane  Wenlock  in.  May  1,  1636 

John  Wheeler  was  bu.  May  5  1630,  and  lyeth  3yds.  south  from  the  east  corner 
of  the  Golden  Chapel. 

Anne  w.  of  Thos.  Scot  was  bu.  June  28th  1636 

Frances  d.  of  Win.  Pierpoint  was  born  1  Sept.  1630,  b.  1  Oct. 

Eleanor  d,  of  Wm.  Pierpoint  Etq.  and  Eliz.  his  wife  was  baptized  Sept.  4 
163  (1  or  2) 

Margaret  Pierpoint  their  dau.  bapt.  Oct.  2  163  (2  or  3) 

Dorothy  Giffard  was  bu.  Sept.  30  634 

Robert  sou  of  Wm,  and  Eliz.  Pierpoint  b.  Sept.  20  1634 

Dame  Elinor  Harries  was  bu.  Apl  9  1635 

Mrs.  taar^t.  Harries  was  bu.  Aug  1636 

Hy.  ison  of  the  Hon.  Wm  Pierpoint  and  Eliz.  his  wife  was  b.  Aug  15  1637 

Wm.  son  of  Wm.  Pi*rpoiut  bu.  Nov.  13  1640 

Elizabeth  wile  of  Wm.  Pierpoint  oi  Tong  Castle  was  bu.  July  1 1656 

1648    .hurried  was  Thos.  Lawrence  gent. 

1692    Burried  was  Eliz.  dau.  of  the  Hon  Gervas  Pierpoint  Aug  30th 

1715    Burried  was  the  Hon  Gervas  Pierpoint  June  4th 

1738    Burried  was  the  Hon  H.  Willoughby  Dec.  11th 

1722    Smallpox  raged 

1694    Buried  was  Featherstone  of  Bromsgrove  Oct  11 

1777  Geo.  son  of  Geo.  Durant  Esq.  and  Maria  his  wife,  of  Tong  Castle,  was 
born  in  the  Parish  of  St  Margaret's  Westminster  Apl.  25th  1776  in  the  presence  of 
Mary  Cusin  and  Mrs.  Langley  midwifes,  and  was  baptized  by  me  15  Apl.  1777. 
Thomas  Buckeridge,  Minister  of  Tong. 

1780    Aug.  16  Geo.  Durant  of  Toug  Castle  died  Aug.  16 

1799     Fras.  Humpage  uuiortunately  suffocated 

May  15th  16bQ  there  was  oolected  in  the  Church  of  Tong  s8  11  for  Southwold 
Suffolk 

Aug.  25th  Collected  «5  10  for  Willeuhall  Staffre. 

For  tue  Towu  of  Poole  [Welshpool]  Montgomeryshire,  who  had  suffered  a  great 
loss  by  tire  there  was  collected  ihe  sum  s2  3  June  16th  1667 

Collected  in  the  Chinch  of  Tong  at  the  request  of  the  inhabitants  of  Sheriffhales 
towards  iho  relief  of  those  thut  suffered  there  £3  14  4,  16G3 

b.  bapt.,    w.  marr.,    di.  died.     bu.  buried. 


164      Parish  Registers — Tong  and  Gunpowder  Plot. 

March  14  1717  it  began  to  snow  at  five  o'clock  in  the  afternoon  and  without  any 
intermission  continued  till  Monday  16th  ;  a  strong  wind  blew  at  the  time  ;  it 
drove  the  snow  into  hollow  places  to  so  great  a  height  as  to  make  the  roads 
altogether  impassable  ;  snow  upon  the  level  of  the  garden  behind  the  castle  13 
inches  deep  ;  16  inches  Court  before  it.  It  did  snow  again  and  freeze  all  n;ght, 
and  the  night  following.  A  vast  number  of  sheep  were  buried  under  the  snow, 
20  and  30  together.  The  sheep  that  lay  burried  5  or  6  days  escaped,  but  those 
that  continued  longer  under  were  found  dend.  So  great  a  snow  in  so  short  »  time, 
and  in  a  season  so  far  advanced,  had  never  been  seen  by  anybody  in  the  Parish. 
It  occasioned  as  it  had  done  the  year  before  a  mighty  bright  meteor  in  the  air  at 
night,  some  few  days  after  it  had  melted  away. 

In  1715  April  22  there  happened  to  bean  eclipse  of  the  Sun  which  continued 
total  about  2  minutes,  during  which  time  several  stars  did  appear  ;  all  things  looked 
much  darker  than  they  do  during  twilk-ht,  insomuch  that  the  largest  prints 
could  not  be  r^ad  in  the  open  fields,  nor  hardly  anybody  be  seen  in  the  house. 

I   have  been  told  that    "the   Parish    Register  before  Mr. 

W 's   time   [he   died  in   1596]   was    written    in   several 

pieces  ot  parchment  or  paper/'  subsequently  transcribed  into 
one  book,  the  latter  being  attested  by  two  Churchwardens. 
This  refers  to  the  Parish  Clerk  who  answers  to  that  descrip- 
tion in  the  present  day,  and  not  to  the  Clerk  or  priest  of  the 
parish. 

Old  Gough  of  Myddle  tells  us  about  Parish  Clerks  : — 

The  first  that  I  remember  was  Will.  Hunt,  a  person  vesy  fitt  for  the  place  as  to 
his  reading  and  singing  with  a  clear  and  audible  voice  ;  but  for  his  writeing  I  can 
say  nothing. 

On  Christmas  day  in  the  afternoone  when  the  minister  had  gone  out  of 
Churche  this  Will  Hunt  sung  a  Christmas  caroll  in  the  Churche,  being  assisted  by 
old  Mr. who  bore  a  base  exceedingly  well. 

In  Will  Hunt's  successor's  time  there  was  an  ordinance  of  parliament  that  there 
should  bee  a  parish  register  sworne  in  every  parish.  His  office  was  to  publish  the 
banns  of  marriage,  and  to  give  certificates  thereof  ;  and  alsce  to  register  the  time 
of  all  births  (not  christnings),  weddings,  and  burialls. 

The  next  was  a  person  altrgeath^r  unfitt  for  such  an  imployment.  Hee  can 
read  but  litle  ;  he  can  sing  bu;.  oi,e  tune  of  the  psalmes.  Hee  can  scarse  write  his 
owne  name,  or  read  any  written  hand. 


Copy  of  ye  original  Proclamation  for  the  observance  of  the  5th  Nov.  found  among 
parish  papers  in  ch.wds.  chest  and  deposited  by  me  with  other  papers  in  the 
parish  chest  fvr  the  Registers. 

Anno  3  Jacobi  Regis  (1606). 

An  Act  for  a  publique  Thanksgiving  to  Almighty  God  every  year  on  the  5th 
Novr. 


Gunpowder  Plot.  165 

For  as  much  as  Almighty  God  hath  in  all  ages  shown  His  power  and  mercy  in 
the  mysterious  &  gracious  deliverance  of  His  Church  &  in  ye  p°tection  of 
Religious  Kings  and  States  &  that  noe  nation  of  ye  earth  hath  been  blest  wh 
greater  benefitts  than  this  Kingdome  now  enjoy eth,  having  y«  true  and  frie 
p  °  fession  of  y*  gospel  under  or  most  Soveraigne  Lord  King  James — the  most  great, 
learned  &  religious  Kiog  that  ever  reigned  therein  inricht  with  a  most  hopefull 
&  plentiful  po  genie  p°ceeding  out  of  his  royal  loynes,  p  °  mising  continuance  of 
his  happiness  &  p°  fession  to  all  posterity,  the  wh  many  malignant  it  devilish 
Papists  Jesuits  &  Seminary  Priests  much  envvinge  &  fearinge  conspired  most 
hombly.when  the  King's  most  excellent  Mht  the  Queene  the  Princts  &  all  the 
Lord  spirituall  and  temporall,  and  Comns  shd  have  been  assembled  in  the  upper 
house  of  Parliament  upon  the  5th  day  Nov1-  in  the  yeare  of  our  Lord  1605  suddenly 
to  have  blowne  up  the  said  whole  house  wh  gunpowder,  an  invention  (invention) 
so  inhumane  barberous,  &  cruell  as  the  like  was  never  before  heard  of,  and  was,  as 
some  of  the  priucipall  conspirators  thereof  confess,  purposely  devised  &  concluded 
to  be  done  in  the  s*  house.  That  whereas  sundry  necessary  &  religious  lawes  for 
the  p  •  servation  of  the  Church  &  State  were  made  :  that  they  falsely  &  slanderously 
|  be  r  me  s***jj  j. lawes   enacted  against  them   and   their  religion,   both    place 

and  person  shd  be  all  destroyed  &  blown  up  at  once,  wh  wd  have 
turned  to  the  utter  ruine  of  this  whole  Kingdome,  had  it  not  pleased 
Almighty  God  by  enspyringe  the  Kinges  most  excellent  ma1'*  with  a  Divine  spirit 
to  interprit  some  tiarke  p'hrases  of  a  letter  shewed  to  his  majesty  :  above  &  be- 
jonde  all  ordinary  construction,  thereby  miraculously  discovering  this  hiden 
treason  not  many  hours  before  ye  appointed  time  for  y*  execution  thereof.  There- 
fore the  Kings  most  excellent  Majesty  the  Lords  Spiritual  &  Temporall  &  all  his 
Majestys  most  faithful  &  loving  subjects  doe  most  wisely  acknowledge  this  great 
&  infinite  blessinge  to  have  proceeded  meardeley  fr  Gods  grate  mercie,  and  to  his 
Holy  Name  doe  ascribe  all  honor  glory  and  praise. 

And  to  the  end  this  unfaigned  thankfullnesse  may  never  be  forgotten  but  be  had 
in  a  perpetuall  remembrance  that  all  ages  to  come  miy  yielde  praise  to  his  Divine 
Majesty  for  the  same  &  have  in  memory  this  w'full  day  of  deliverance  Be  (Be)  it 
enacted  by  the  Kings  most  excellent  mtie  the  Louis  Spiritual  and  temporall  &  the 
Conions  in  this  p '  seut  Parliament  assembled  &  by  the  authority  of  the  same 
that  all  and  singular  ministers  iu  every  Cathedrall  &  P8h  Church  or  other  usual 
place  for  Com  Pry  within  this  realme  of  Eugl*nd  &  Dominions  of  y«  same,  shall 
allwaies  upon  \e  5  day  of  Novr  *&y  morniug  prayer  &  give  unto  Almighty  God 
thauks  for  this  most  happy  deliverance  &  that  all  &  every  p'son  &  pce  some  in- 
habiting it  in  this  realme  of  England  &  the  dominions  of  >«  same  shall  allwaise 
upon  that  day  diligently  &  faithfully  ret«oit  to  ye  P»h  Ch  or  Chappell 
accustomed  or  to  some  usual  ch  or  chapell  where  ye  said  morning 
prayer,  preaching  or  other  service  of  God  &hall  be  u»ed  &  theu  k 
there  to  abide,  &  duly  &  sobarly  duringe  the  time  that  the  .••aid  prairs  or  preaching 
or  other  service  of  God  used  :  And  that  all  &  every  p'son  may  be  put  in  mind  of 
this  duty  &  be  the  better  p' pared  to  the  said  holy  Service,  be  it  inacted  by 
authority  aforesaid  that  every  minister  shall  give  warning  to  his  p'shners  iu  ye  Ch 
at  morning  prayer  the  Sunday  before  every  such  5  day  of  Novr  fur  the  observuciou 
of  y«  said  day,  &  that  after  m>  rniog  praier  or  preaching  upon  the  said  5  day  of 
Nov1  they  reade  distinctly  &  plainly  this  p'  sent  act. 

GOD  save  y«  Kinge. 


FAMOUS   LADIES  ASSOCIATED  WITH   TONG. 

Three  maids  unmatch'd  in  manners  as  in  grace, 
Skill'd  in  each  art  and  crown'd  with  every  grace. 

OTES  upon  Tong  can  hardly  be  closed  without  some 
reference  to  the  celebrated  ladies  associated  with  it. 
Few  country  places  can  boast  association  with 
such  distinguished  ladies.  They  are  VENETIA,  LADY 
DIGBY,  (of  whom  some  account  is  given  under  the 
particulars  of  Monument  No.  19),  LADY  MARY  WORTLEY 
MONTAGUE,  and  MRS.  FITZHERBERT;  not  to  mention 
Elizabeth  Chudleigh,  Duchess  of  Kingston,  and  Isabella 
Forester,  who  married  Lord  Stafford. 

LADY  MARY  WORTLEY  MONTAGUE  was  daughter 
of  Evelyn,  5th  Earl  of  Kingston,  who  was  in  1706  created 
Marquis  of  Dorchester,  by  Queen  Anne,  and  in  1716, 
Duke  of  Kingston ;  and  Tong  was  the  scene  of  her 
early  years,  if  not  her  birthplace  (which  is  claimed  by 
Thoresby).  Her  youth  at  any  rate  must  have  been 
passed  between  these  two  homes  of  the  Pierpoint  family. 
Her  letters  form  a  conspicuous  part  of  the  literary  productions 
of  her  time.  Born  in  T690,  she  lost  her  mother  in  1694,  an<^ 
being  educated  under  the  superintendence  of  Bishop  Burnet, 
obtained  a  high  degree  of  mental  cultivation.  She  married 
Mr.  Edward  Wortley  Montague  by  special  license.  Her 
father  had  refused  him,  because  he  would  not  make  the 
necessary  settlements ;  and  she  had  allowed  him  to  encourage 
another  suitor  ;  and  matters  had  gone  so  far  that  the  wedding 
clothes  had  actually  been  bought ;  but,  only  making  up  her 
mind  the  evening  before,  she  decided  to  run  away  with  Mr. 
Montague,  and  was  married  on  August  12,  1712. 


P£yy> 


**Y  v^ 


C^ARLXS^ 


front  a.iaortrdit 

itlth^  possession 

dflhe  author 


G/^ve. 


Lady  Mary  Wortley  Montague. 


167 


ft  had  fallen  to  the  lot  of  the  Duke  of  Kingston  in  1690  to* 
propose  a  beauty  as  the  annual  toast  of  the  Kitcat  Club,  and 
a  whim  seized  him  to  nominate  his  little  daughter,  Lady- 
Mary  Pierpoint,  then  8  years  old.  Some  of  the  members; 
demurred,  as  they  had  not  seen  her.  The  Duke  sent  for  her, 
and  when  she  arrived,  finely  dressed,  she  was  received  withi 
acclamations,  her  health  drunk,  her  beauty  extolled  on  every 
side,  and  she  was  petted  and  caressed  by  all  present,  the; 
company  consisting  of  some  of  the  most  eminent  men  ini 
England. 


Walpole,  writing  in  1762,  describes  his  visit  to  this  strange* 
lady  :  — 

"I   found  her   in  a   little   miserable   bedchamber  of  a  ready  furnished 
&Quaefc  with  two  tallow-candles,  and  a  bureau  covered  with  pots  and  pans. 


168  Lady  Mary  Wortley  Montague. 

On  her  head  she  had  an  old  block-laced  hood,  wrapped  entirely  round,  so 
as  to  conceal  all  hair,  or  want  of  hair.  No  handkerchief,  but  up  to  her 
chin  a  kind  of  horseman's  riding-coat,  made  of  dark  green  brocade,  with 
coloured  and  silver  flowers,  and  lined  with  furs ;  bodice  laced,  a  foul 
dimity  petticoat,  sprig'd  velvet  muffeetens  on  her  arms,  grey  stockings, 
and    slippers.      Her   face   less  changed   in   20   years  than  I  could  have 

imagined She    is    very    lively,    all  her  senses  perfect,  her 

language  as  imperfect  as  ever,  her  avarice  greater.  With  nothing  but  an 
Italian,  a  French,  and  a  Russian,  all  men-servants,  and  something  she  calls 
an  old  secretary,  but  whose  age  till  he  appears  will  be  doubtful,  she 
receives  all  the  world,  and  crowds  them  into  this  kennel.  The  Duchess  of 
Hamilton,  who  came  in  just  after  me,  was  so  astonished  and  diverted,  that 
she  could  not  speak  to  her  for  laughing." 

Lord  Byron,  in  describing  the  shores  of  the  ^gean  and 
Bosphorus,  thus  refers  to  her  : — 

And  the  more  than  I  could  dream, 

Far  less  describe,  present  the  very  view, 

Which  charmed  the  charming  Mary  Montagu. 

The  picture  on  the  preceding  page  of  Lady  Mary  entering 
the  club  is  supplied  by  Mr.  H.  Blackburn,  author  of  Royal 
Academy  Notes,  1884,  by  kind  permission  of  Mr.  Yeamesr  R.A. 

Edward  Wortley  Montague  was  in  1716  appointed 
Ambassador  to  the  Porte,  and  she  accompanied  him  to  the 
East,  and  during  his  residence  in  the  Levant  wrote  the  well- 
known  Letters,  which  form  one  of  the  most  delightful  books 
in  our  language.  In  17 18  she  returned  to  England,  and 
settled  at  Twickenham,  where  she  renewed  her  acquaintance 
with  Addison  and  Pope.  In  1739  Lady  Mary  went  to  Italy 
for  her  health,  and  did  not  re- visit  England  till  1761,  and  died 
Aug.  ai,  1762.  During  her  residence  in  Constantinople  she 
was  enabled  to  confer  on,  Europe  a  benefit  of  the  greatest 
consequence,  namely,  inoculation  for  the  small-pox,  which 
was  at  that  time  universal  in  Turkey.  She  had  so  much  faith 
in  its  safety  that  she  tried  it  first  on  her  own  son.  Lord 
Wharncliffe  has  a  picture  of  her  which  she  gave  to  her  god- 


*  Mr.  H.  A.  Grueber  says. 


MRS.  FITZHERBERT. 


{See  page  i6<;.) 


Mrs.  Fitzherbert.  169 

Writing  in  1730  from  Dijon  to  her  husband  she  says  :  — 

This  is  a  very  aereahle  Town,  and  I  find  ye  air  agree  with  me  extreamely  ; 
herein  a  great  deal  of  good  company,  and  I  meet  with  more  civility  than  I 
had  reason  to  expect.  I  should  like  to  pass  ye  winter  here,  if  it  was  not 
for  ye  expense.  I  have  been  entertained  by  all  ye  considerable  people, 
French  and  English. 

MARIA  ANNA  FITZHERBERT,  born  1756,  youngest 
daughter  of  William  Smythe,  of  Tong  Castle,  and  niece  of 
Sir  E.  Smythe,  Bart  ,  of  Acton  Burnell,  married  1st,  Edward 
WTeld,  of  Lulworth  Castle,  who  died  the  same  year,  1771  ; 
secondly,  Thomas  Fitzherbert,  of  Swinnerton,  County  Stafford, 
who  died  in  1781. 

Soon  afterwards  her  beauty  and  fascinatiag  manners 
attracted  the  particular  attention  of  the  Prince  of  Wales 
(George  IV. )>  and  she  consented  to  a  marriage  with  him 
according  to  the  rites  of  the  Roman  Church,  which  marriage 
however  was  not  permissible  by  the  law  of  England,  she 
being  a  Papist.  In  her  memoirs  written  by  the  Hon.  Charles 
Langdale,  it  is  said  that  there  was  not  one  of  the  Royal  Family 
who  had  not  acted  with  kindness  to  her,  including  the  Queen 
of  George  III.,  herself.  At  the  command  of  the  Prince,  Fox 
denied  the  marriage  in  the  House  of  Commons. 

Earl  Fortescue  has  a  portrait  of  this  lovely  woman  by 
Gainsborough,  which  she  left  to  the  Hon.  Mrs.  Dawson 
Darner  ;  and  the  Earl  of  Portarlington  has  one  by  Sir  Joshua 
Reynolds,  whose  studio  she  often  visited  with  the  Prince  of 
Wales.  The  accompanying  picture  is  after  Cosway,  who 
painted  delightful  mimatures  of  her,  including  two  rings 
belonging  to  Lord  Portarlington,  one  representing  an  eye  of 
George  IV.  as  Prince  of  Wales,  and  the  otiier  an  eye  of 
Mrs.  Fitzherbert. 

Lord  Portarlington  has  also  a  fine  collection  of 

miniatures   and   relics  owned    by    that  lady,    one 

,j0N    being  a   gold  ring  given  to  George  IV.    by  her, 

>-Y-\       bearing  on  it  the  poesy  reading  **  L'ami  de  mon 

\J )   coeur,"   expressed    by   two   musical    notes,  la  mi, 

de  mon  in  letters,  and  a  heart, 
w  ' 


170  Mrs.  Fitzherbert. 

The  Graphic  of  March  5th,  1892,  has  an  article  about  this 
lady,  commencing  with  the  lines  of  a  ballad,  which  are  said 
to  have  some  reference  to  Mrs.  Fitzherbert : — 

I'd  crowns  resign  to  call  thee  mine, 
Sweet  Lass  0/  Richmond  Hill. 

We  cannot  question  the  charms  of  person  and  mind  possessed  by  Mrs. 
Fitzherbert ;  they  enthralled  one  of  the  most  volatile  of  Princes,  and 
under  their  fascination,  induced  that  wayward  youth  to  jeopardise  the 
splendid  prospects  of  heir  to  the  Throne  by  marrying  a  lady  who  had  been 
twice  a  widow  whose  religious  faith,  as  well  as  the  restrictions  of  the 
Royal  Marriage  Act,  were  insuperable  barriers  ;  and  who,  moreover,  had 
the  formidable  disadvantage  of  being  seven  years  the  senior  of  the 
enamoured  swain.  The  Church  of  Rome  received  the  pair  as  man  and 
wife;  the  King,  Queen,  and  members  of  the  Royal  family  consistently 
treated  the  lady  with  respect  and  consideration.  Mrs.  Fitzherbert,  who 
was  a  rigid  and  devout  Roman  Catholic,  retired  to  the  Continent. 
The  enforced  separation  failed  to  allay  the  Prince's  passion.  He 
threatened  numerous  acts  of  folly,  and,  after  lengthened  absence,  the 
return  of  Mrs.  Fitzherbert  was,  by  her  advisers,  counselled  as  the  most 
prudent  course  in  1785.  The  Prince  proposed  the  most  romantic  schemes. 
One  morning  affairs  reached  a  crisis ;  two  of  the  Royal  suitor's  friends 
drove  to  Park  Lane  with  the  urgent  request  that  the  lady  would  hasten 
immediately  to  Carlton  House,  for  the  Prince  lay  bleeding  to  death.  This 
highly-sensational  summons  sent  the  lady  off  in  a  flutter ;  on  her  way  to 
the  Palace,  she  thought  proper  to  call  upon  her  confidential  friend,  the 
Duchess  of  Devonshire,  and  they  decided  to  fly  to  comfort  the  sufferer, 
anil  to  receive  his  last  sigh.  The  agitation  of  his  feelings,  the  alarm- 
ing apprehensions  of  his  confidential  attendants,  backed  up  by  the  violence 
of  his  passion,  his  reckless  declarations,  his  moving  entreaties,  and  the 
melting  tears,  convinced  the  lady  that  there  was  danger  in  standing  aloof. 
On  December  21st,  1785,  in  the  presence  of  Mrs.  Fitzherbert's  connections, 
the  nuptial  ceremony  was  gone  through  at  her  house  in  Park  Lane,  accord- 
ing to  the  ritual  of  the  Church  of  Rome,  and  also  the  Protestant  service 
was  performed  by  the  Rev.  Samuel  Johnes.  On  the  death  of  George  IV., 
his  successor  authorised  Mrs.  Fitzherbert  to  wear  royal  mourning,  and 
gave'  her  the  right  of  using  the  royal  liveries  ;  moreover,  William  IV.  pro- 
posed to  make  the  lady  a  duchess,  a  distinction  she,  with  excellent  taste, 
thought  proper  to  decline.  It  is  said  that  by  his  own  wish  the  miniature 
of  Mrs.  Fitzherbert  was  buried  with  the  King,  suspended  round  his  neck. 

Mr.    H.    F.  J.  Vaughan  writes  to  me,  Nov.  17,   1884,  as 

follows: — 

Mrs.  Fitzherbert,  the  wife  of  George  IV.,  was  born  in  the  Red  Room 
at  Toag  Castle,  having  arrived  somewhat  unexpectedly  during  a  visit  of 


Venetia  Stanley,  Lady  Digby.  171 

her  parents  at  Tong,  as  I  was  informed  by  the  late  Madame  Durant,  with 
whose  family  my  own  was  intimate.  You  are  probably  aware  that  her 
maiden  name  was  Mary  Anne  Smythe,  and  that  she  was  thrice  married. 

One  of  the  dearest  friends  of  Mrs.  Fitzherbert,  Lady 
Horatia  Seymour,  in  the  last  stage  of  a  decline,  was  advised 
to  go  abroad  to  seek  in  change  of  climate  her  own  chance  of 
recovery,  and  had  at  that  time  an  infant  daughter,  Miss 
Seymour,  who  became  devotedly  attached  to  Mrs.  Fitzher- 
bert. 

There  arose  difficulties  on  account  of  Mrs.  Fitzherbert's 
religion,  and  the  question  of  custody  became  a  Chancery  suit. 
The  opposing  Counsel,  the  Attorney-General,  observed  that 
Mrs.  Fitzherbert  merited  everything  that  could  be  said  in  her 
favour  ;  but  whatever  amiable  qualities  she  might  possess,  the 
religion  she  professed  excluded  her  from  the  right  to  retain 
the  custody  of  a  Protestant  child.  The  Lord  Chancellor 
however  decided  in  favour  of  Mrs.  Fitzherbert,  and  the  child, 
who  became  Mrs.  Lionel  Dawson  Darner,  erected  a  monu- 
ment to  her  memory  at  Brighton,  with  the  following  inscrip- 
tion : — 

"In  a  vault  near  this  spot  are  deposited  the  remains  of  Maria  Fitz- 
herbert. She  was  born  on  the  26th  July,  1756,  and  expired  at  Brighton 
on  the  29th  of  March,  1837.  One  to  whom  she  was  more  than  a  parent 
has  placed  this  monument  to  her  revered  and  beloved  memory,  as  a 
humble  tribute  of  her  gratitude  and  afiection," 

The  hand  of  the  figure  had  three  rings  on  it,  bearing 
evidence  of  the  triple  marriage  of  her  departed  friend. 

VENETIA  STANLEY,  OF  TONG,  married  Sir  Kenelm 
Digby.  "  With  the  exception  of  Lady  Rich,  no  woman  has 
been  made  the  theme  of  so  much  song  that  deserves  to  live  as 
Venetia  Digby."  Tong  Castle  was  the  birthplace  and  scene 
of  her  early  years,  and  she  died  there  in  1633.  Lord  Claren- 
don speaks  of  her  as  "  a  lady  of  extraordinary  beauty,  and  of 
as  extraordinary  fame."  Her  husband  was  so  enamoured 
with  her  beauty  that  he  is  said  "  to  have  attempted  to  exalt 


172  Venetia  Stanley,  Lady  Digby. 

her  charms  and  preserve  her  health  by  a  variety  of  whimsical 
experiments,  and  to  have  fed  her  with  capons  fed  with  the 
flesh  of  vipers,  inventing  for  her  use  new  cosmetics."  Her 
beauty  and  fascination  were  the  theme  of  many  an  eulogy  by 
painter  and  poet.  Ben  Johnson  has  devoted  some  lines  to 
her,  including  one  tather  long  poem  called  "  Eupheme."  He 
tells  us  how  to  paint  her,  so  : — 

Draw  first  cloud  all  save  her  neck, 

And  out  of  that  make  day  to  break, 

Till  like  her  face  it  do  appear, 

And  men  may  think  all  light  rose  here ; 

Then  let  the  beams  of  that  disperse 

The  cloud,  and  show  the  universe, 

But  at  such  distance  that  the  eye 

May  r  ither  yet  adore  than  spy. 

The  Heaven  designed  draw  next  as  spring, 

With  all  that  youth  as  it  can  bring, 

Four  rivers  branching  forth  as  seas, 

And  paradise  confining  these, 

Last,  draw  the  circles  ot  this  globe, 

And  let  there  be  a  starry  robe 

Of  constellations  'bout  her  burled, 

And  thou  hast  t  ainted  beauty's  world. 

Mr.  Granger  says*  "  Her  beauty,  which  was  much  extolled, 
appears  to  have  had  justice  done  it  by  all  the  world."  Mr. 
Skinner  had  a  small  portrait  of  her  by  Vandyck,  in  which  she 
is  represented  as  treading  on  envy  and  malice,  and  is  unhurt 
by  a  serpent  that  twines  round  her  arm.f  Here  the  historian 
and  painter  illustrate  each  other.  This  was  a  model  for  a 
large  portrait  for  Windsor,  where  there  is  now,  in  the 
Vandyck  room  of  the  Castle,  a  full  length  picture  of  her,  as 
well  as  a  half  length  of  her  husband.  Mr.  Walpole  had  a 
miniature  of  her  by  Peter  Oliver.  There  were  two  fine  busts 
of  her  in  the  possession  of  Mr.  Wright  at  Gothurst,  Newport 
Pagnel,  formerly  the  seat  cf  Sir  Kenelm  Digby.  There  is  a 
fine  portrait  of  Sir  Kenelm,  by  Vandyke,  at  Weston  Park. 

The  tomb  to  "  Anastatia  Venetia,  Lady  Digby,"  stood  in 
Christ  Church,  London,  but  was  destroyed  in  the  great  fire. 

*  In  the  Antiquarian  Repertory  Brit :  Mus  : — Communicated  by  T.  Pennant,  Esq.,  1808. 
f  In  the  Anecdotes  of  Painting,  Vol.  II.,  2nd  Edition,  p.  ioz. 


Sir  Kenelm  Digby.  173 

The  inscription  was  : — 

Mem :  Sacrum,  Venetia  Edwavdi  Stanley  Equitis  Honoratiss. 
Ord.  Balnci  (Filii  Thomcc,  Edwavdi  Comitis  Devbiz  Filii) 
Filitz  ac  coh&vedi,  ex  Lucia  Thomce  Comitis  N  ovthnmbvia  Filia  et 
CohaiYcde ;  Posuit  Kenelmus  Digby  Eqnes  Anratus  Cui  Quatuov 
Pepevit  Filios  Kenehnum  Nat.  vi  Ociobr.  mdcxxv ;  Jcannem  Nat. 
xxix.  Decemb.  mdxxvii ;  Everavdum  (in  amis  Mortum)  Nat.  xii. 
Jan.  mdcxxix :  Georgium  Nat.  xvii.  Jan.  mdcxxxii.  Nata  est 
Decemb.  xix.,  mdc.     Denata  Maii  i.  mdcxxxiii. 

Quin  lex  eadem  monet  omnes 
Geinitum  dare  sorte  sub  una 
Cognataque  funera  nobis 
Aliena  in  morte  dolere. 

TRANSLATION  : 

Sacred  to  the  memory  of  Venetia,  daughter  and  coheiress  o  Edward  Stanley,  Knight  ot 
the  Most  Honble.  Order  of  the  Bath,  (son  of  Thomas  [who  was]  the  son  of  Edward,  Earl 
of  Derby).  Erected  by  Kenelm  Digby,  Knight,  to*  whom  she  bore  four  sens,  Kenelm,  born 
6th  Oct.,  1625;  John,  born  29  Dec.  1627;  Everard  (died  in  his  cradle)  born  12  Jan.,  1629; 
George,  born  17  Jan.  1632.  [She  was]  born  Dec.  19,  1600.  Deceased  May  1,  1633.  How 
the  same  law  warns  all  to  break  f  jrth  into  weeping  under  one  fate  and  to  deplore  in 
another's  death  the  death  which  we  ourselves  are  born  to  undergo. 

Sir  Kenelm  Digby,  Knight,  son  of  Sir  Everard  Digby,  exe- 
cuted on  account  of  his  participation  in  the  Popish  plot,  was 
one  of  the  most  faithful  adherents  of  Charles  I.  in  the  Civil 
War,  and  an  exile  in  consequence  during  Cromwell's  usurpa- 
tion. 

This  "  Ornament  of  England,"  as  Sir  Kenelm  has  been 
styled,  wrote  several  learned  books,  and  was  a  great  bene- 
factor to  the  Bcdleian  library  by  presenting  it  in  1633  with  a 
large  collection  of  MSS.  ;  he  recovered  the  reputation  of  his 
family,  and  rendered  it  famous  throughout  the  Christian 
world.  He  was  born  at  Gothurst,  1603,  and  married  in  1625. 
He  returned  to  England  in  1661,  was  appointed  one  of  the 
Council  on  the  first  settlement  of  the  Royal  Society,  died  at 
his  house  in  Covent  Garden,  nth  June,  1665,  (his  birthday) 
leaving,  by  his  wife  Venetia,  two  sons  and  a  daughter.  He 
was  descended  from  Edward  Digby,  Esq.,  High  Sheriff  of  co. 


174  Charles  I. 

Rutland,  and  M.P.,  1434.  The  ancient  name  was  Tilton  of 
Tilton,  co.  Leicester,  but  that  abode  was  abandoned  for 
Digby,  co.  Lincoln. 

He  wrote  two  treatises  of  "  Choice  Receipts  in  Physick  and 
Chirurgery  and  of  Cookery,"  published  in  1669,  which  con- 
tained  receipts  for  the  celebrated  aurum  potabile  or  digest  of 
gold,  bites  of  a  mad  dog,  serpents,  vipers,  &c,  spirits,  sweet 
waters,  for  Scotch  ale,  Metheglin,  Morello,  currant,  cherry, 
and  strawberry  wines,  and  many  other  curious  receipts  which 
are  now  obsolete. 

He  wrote  the  "  Broadstone  of  Honour,  or  True  Sense  and 
Practice  of  Chivalry,"  which  Julius  Hare  characterises  "  as 
that  noble  manual  for  gentlemen  ;  that  volume  which,  had  I  a 
son,  I  would  place  in  his  hands,  charging  him,  though  such 
admonition  would  be  needless,  to  love  it  next  to  his  Bible." 

The  Stanley  Tomb,  No.  19,  bears  the  name  of  Venetia,  and 
a  long  account  of  her  parents  and  grandparents  is  given  under 
the  description  of  that  monument. 

It  may  not  be  out  of  place  to  give  here  the  portrait  of 
King  Charles  I.,  the  unfortunate  prince  whose  queen's  violent 
spirit  and  foreign  temperament  conduced  so  much  to  the 
disasters  of  his  troublesome  reign,  and  during  whose  time 
Tong  Castle  was  burnt,  and  other  memorable  incidents  are 
recalled  to  the  minds  of  Salopians. 

He  was  a  good  rather  than  a  great  man  ;  one  of  the  most 
powerful  and  elegant  writers  of  the  English  language,  a  liberal 
patron  of  the  fine  arts,  and  but  for  the  evil  counsels  by  which 
he  sufiered  himself  to  be  guided,  might  have  escaped  the  un- 
timely end  to  which  he  was  brought  by  the  offended  judgement 
of  a  people  determined  to  be  free. 

Charles  I.,  1642,  Sept.  20,  Tuesday,  came  to  Salop  with  his 
army,  where  he  and  the  court  were  joined  by  Prince  Rupert, 


Isabella  Forster,  Lady  Stafford.  175 

Prince  Charles,  and  the  Duke  of  York,  and  generously  con- 
descending to  consider  the  worthy  services  of  Sir  Richard 
Newport,  he  advanced  him  to  be  a  baron  of  England  by  the 
title  of  Lord  Newport  of  High  Ercall*  ;  and  Feb.  22,  1644, 
the  enemy  quitted  and  burned  Tong  Castle. * 

During  the  last  few  days  a  silver  pound  piece,  coined  at  the 
mint  of  Charles  I.  at  Shrewsbury,  realised  £27. 

The  original  painting  of  Charles  I.  belonged  to  the  famous 
John  Mytton,  of  Halston,  Co.  Salop,  and  appears  to  be  a 
hitherto  unknown  portrait  of  the  King,  which  does  not  seem 
to  have  been  engraved,  the  print  room  of  the  British  Museum 
affording  only  two  of  any  similarity,  one  of  which,  very  rare, 
is  after  Rubens,  and  the  other,  a  French  one,  by  Daret. 
"  Monsieur  Hymans,  Curator  of  the  National  Gallery, 
Brussels,  the  great  authority  on  all  that  relates  to  Rubens, 
writes  that  we  know  very  little  of  the  meetings  between 
Rubens,  Gerbier,  Buckingham,  and  probably  Charles  when 
prince.  It  is  not  known  that  Charles  ever  was  painted  by 
Rubens.  Rubens  however  accompanied  him  in  Spain,  when 
he  went  fruitlessly  to  woo  the  Infanta. 

Oh  happy  he,  who  with  good  address, 

Knows  how  and  when  and  where  his  suit  to  press 

Unto  attainment  of  assured  success  ; 

But,  oh  !  unhappy  he,  who  not  possessing 

The  art  of  fluently  his  thoughts  expressing, 

Addresses  him  in  vain  to  his  addressing. 

Unlike  the  happy  coster  or  the  rural  swain,  who,  after  a 
more  successful  errand — 

Now  fitted  the  halter,  now  travers'd  the  cart, 
And  often  took  leave,  but  seemed  loth  to  depart ! 

ISABELLA  FORSTER,  LADY  STAFFORD.  I 
am  unable  to  learn  much  about  this  lady,  a  member  of  a 
Tong  family,  branching  from  the  ancient  Shropshire  family  of 
Forester,  Foster,  or  as  it  was  often  spelt  Forster,  for  a  not  too 
diligent  regard  was  paid  to  spelling  two  or  three  centuries  ago. 

Isabel  married  the  young  son  of  Edward,  2nd  Baron 
Stafford,  whose  mother  was  heiress  of  the  Duke  of  Clarence, 

*Hulbcrt'a  Salop. 


176  The  Beautiful  Isabella,  Lady  Stafford. 

and  thus  direct  legal  heir  to  the  crown.  Edward  was  grand- 
son of  Edward,  the  attainted  Duke  of  Buckingham.  Her 
father  was  Thomas  Forster,  of  Tong,  the  younger  of  two 
brothers,  the  elder  being  Robert  Forster,  of  Barton  Green 
(v/ho  married  Joan  Mytton,  of  Weston),  descended  from  John 
Forster,  of  Evelith.  Her  brother,  Humphrey  Forster,  of 
Tong,  occurs  1614. 

It  seems  that  the  attainted  Duke's  daughter,  Elizabeth, 
married  the  Duke  of  Norfolk.  Their  son  Henry  was  be- 
headed 1572.  His  son,  Thomas,  Duke  of  Norfolk,  was 
beheaded  the  same  year,  and  his  son  Philip  died  in  the  Tower, 
1595.  His  son,  Thomas,  Earl  of  Arundel,*  died  1646,  and 
his  son  William  married  Mary,  the  granddaughter  of  Isabel 
Forster,  of  Tong. 

Isabel's  husband,  Edward,  was,  as  3rd  Baron  Stafford,  heir 
to  the  crown,  but  died  in  1625,  his  son  Edward  having  died 
before  him,  leaving  a  son,  Isabel's  grandson,  Henry,  4th 
Baron  Stafford,  who  died  under  age,  in  1637,  and  a  daughter 
Mary. 

She  herself  is  variously  described  once  as  the  "  beautiful 
Isabella,"  and  in  another  place,  as  of  "  prepossessing  appear- 
ance." Doubtless  the  features  were  duly  committed  to 
cmvas,  but  like  other  portraits  adorning  the  walls  of  many 
county  houses,  the  identity  has  been  unpreserved,  and  a 
lamentable  loss  arises :  "  Tis  pity  that  in  many  galleries  the 
names  are  not  writt  on  or  behind  the  pictures,  though  it  could 
be  done  with  very  little  trouble,"  says  an  old  writer. 

The  heir  de  jure  of  this  Henry  in  the  male  line  was — through 
an  uncle  of  Isabel's  husband,  Richard,  who  was  "  very  poor  " 
— a  cousin,  Roger,  born  1572,  who  died  about  1640,  leaving 
a  sister,  Jane,  born  1581,  described  as  a  widow,  living  1637. 
She  married  a  joiner  at  Newport,  Co.  Salop,  and  left  a  son,  a 

*  This  was  the  great  patron  of  the  Arts  the  Collector  of  the  Arundelian  Marbles,  and 
portraits  of  Li.n  u^idi.ig  a  baton  over  his  grandson  are  at  Weston  and  Arundel. 


Roger  Stafford  of  Newport.  177 

cobbler  at  Newport,  1637.  King  Charles  L  created  William 
Howard  and  his  wife  Mary,  baron  and  baroness  Stafford,  of 
Stafford  Castle,  "  with  such  precedency  as  Henry,  brother  of 
Mary,  did  enjoy."  This  was  an  instance  of  the  improper  and 
undue  Court  influence  of  Thomas  Howard,  Earl  of  Arundel 
which  was  quite  reprehensible. 

Roger  claimed  the  honor  that  had  become  his  by  right  of 
law,  but  "was  unjustly  denied  the  dignity  on  account  of  his 
poverty."  Roger  presented  a  petition  to  the  king,  who,  how- 
ever, declared  "  his  royal  pleasure  that  Roger,  having  no  part 
of  the  inheritance  of  the  said  Lord  Stafford,  nor  any  other 
lands  or  means  whatever,  shall  make  resignation  of  all  claims 
and  title  to  the  said  barony  of  Stafford,  for  his  majesty  to  dis- 
pose of  as  he  shall  see  fit."  In  obedience  to  the  King's 
command  poor  Roger  duly  surrendered  his  claim  by  Deed 
enrolled  7  Dec,  1639.  In  1640  the  lords  in  parliament  were 
too  regardant  of  their  privileges  to  allow  the  "  melancholy 
precedent  "  of  the  Lord  Stafford  to  remain  uncondemned,  and 
they  afterwards  resolved  to  obviate  so  dangerous  an  example. f 

MARGARET  and  DOROTHY  VERNON,  daughters  of  Sir 
George  Vernon,  Lord  of  Tong,  and  King  of  the  Peak,  must 
not  be  omitted  from  mention  again  here  among  the  Ladies 
of  Tong, — though  an  account  is  given  of  them  under  Tomb 
19,  page  71, — as  the  story  of  their  lives  is  interwoven  with 
the  annals  of  their  time.  Mr.  New's  sketch  of  Margaret  is 
taken  from  her  effigy  at  Tong,  and  the  portrait  of  Dorothy  is 
sketched  by  Miss  Bradley,  from  a  painting  in  the  Porter's 
Lodge  at  Haddon,  by  kind  permission  given  to  me  by  the  Duke 
of  Rutland. 

"  Where  are  the  high  and  stately  dames 
"Of  princely  Vernon's  banner'd  hall, 
"  And  where  the  knights,  and  what  their  names, 
"  Who  led  them  forth  to  festival  ?  " 

"  Arise  ye  mighty  dead  arise  ! 

"Can  Vernon,  Rutland,  -tinley,  sleep? 
"Whose  gallant  hearts,  and  eagle  eyes 

"  Uisdain'd  a  ike  to  crouch  or  weep." 

f  The  Howard  Papers,  by  H.  K.  S.  Causton,  1862. 


BOSCOBEL     AND     THE     ROYAL     OAK. 

AM  loth  to  bring  to  a  conclusion  the  History  of 
Tong  without  mentioning  some  few  particulars 
of  historic  Boscobel  and  its  neighbouring 
Convents  known  as  White  Ladies  and  Black 
Ladies. 

Many  have  formed  conclusions  on  the  question  of  the 
identity  of  the  Oak,  based  upon  very  fragile  and  chimerical 
data,  and  the  sincere  conviction  that  this  tree,  happily  pro- 
tected from  the  ravages  of  enthusiasts,  is  one  and  the  same 
tree  which  sheltered  the  royal  and  jovial,  if  unworthy,  king, 
prompts  me  to  commit  to  paper  some  notices  and  notes  to 
quell  the  storms  of  detraction  which  gather  round  this  and 
similar  marks  of  antiquity. 

The  King's  wanderings  in  Tong  and  neighbourhood  are  re- 
lated by  His  Majesty  himself,  and  his  flight,  and  seclusion 
with  the  notoriety  of  the  humble  Penderells,  born  and  bred  at 
the  house  at  Hubball  in  the  parish  of  Tong,  in  the  depths 
and  secluded  part  of  the  Forest  of  Brewood,  are  ably  related 
by  Thomas  Blount,  a  Catholic  lawyer  and  sufferer  in  the 
royal  cause,  in  which  also  he  is  said  to  have  borne  arms.  His 
account  runs  thus  :  — 

The  battle  of  Worcester*  took  place  on  Sept.  3rd,  1651.  At  one  time  so  rssolute 
was  the  on-et  of  the  Royalists,  led  by  Charles  II.  in  person,  that  the  Republicans 
at  first  gave  way  before  them,  abandoning  a  part  of  their  cannon.  "One  hour  of 
Montrose"  at  the  head  of  the  3,000  horse,  whom  a  few  minutes  might  have 
brought  to  the  charge,  had  perhaps  retrieved  the  fortune  of  the  day  ;  but  Lesley, 
who  commanded  this  important  force,  induced  either  by  treachery  or  distrust, 

*  The  writer  has  an  interesting  painting  of  this. 


Royal  Oak,  1894. 


BLACK  LADIES. 


The  Penderells  of  Hubbal.  179 

kept  them  stationary  in  the  rear,  until  the  infantry,  having  expended  their  ammu- 
nition, and  reduced  to  fight  with  the  butt-ends  of  their  muskets,  gave  way  before 
tin  reserve  poured  in  by  the  Protector,  and  fell  back  into  the  city  with  the  loss  of 
their  best  leaders.  The  Republicans  followed  closely,  and  the  King  finding  his 
entrance  on  horseback  impossible,  got  into  the  City  on  foot ;  and  putting  off  his 
heavy  armour  rode  up  and  dowa  the  streets  on  a  fresh  horse,  calling  the  officers 
and  men  by  their  names,  and  in  vain  urging  Lesley  and  his  cavalry  to  faee  the 
enemy  for  the  first  time.  At  six  in  the  evening,  Charles  II.,  surveying 
the  still  unbroken  appearance  of  Lesley's  horse,  who  had  taken  little  or  no  share  in 
the  struggle,  faced  about,  and  meditated  a  fresh  charge  to  retrieve  the  fortune  of 
the  day.  From  this  hazardous  step  he  was  soon  dissuaded,  as  his  infantry  were 
nearly  annihilated,  and  Lesley's  horse  had  begun  to  show  symptoms  of  mutiny  and 
desertion.  Nothing,  therefore,  now  remained  but  the  alternative  of  escape. 
Accordingly  Charles  rode  off,  accompanied  by  about  60  most  trusty  adherents,  in- 
tending  to  reach  Lord  Derby's  place  of  refuge  at  Boscobel  House,  whither  Mr. 
Charles  Giffard  undertook  to  conduct  them.  At  day-break  next  morning  they 
reached  White  Ladies,  a  house  belonging  to  the  Giffard  family,  bringing  the  king's 
horse  by  way  of  precaution  into  the  had.  Here  news  was  brought  to  hm  that 
Lesley's  cavalry  had  rallied  in  full  force  on  the  heath  near  Tong  Castle  (i.e., 
between  Tong  Norton  and  Lizard  Grange),  and  it  was  suggested  to  the  King  to 
join  this  force  with  the  view  of  ensuring  his  retreat  to  Scotland.  This  advice 
Charles  absolutely  rejected^  indignant  at  their  recent  conduct,  and  "knowing,"  in 
his  own  word3,  "that  men  who  had  deserted  him  when  they  were  in  good  order 
would  never  stand  to  him  when  they  had  been  beaten " :  an  opinion  which  the 
event  fully  justified.  He  was  recommended  by  Mr  Giffard  to  the  good  offices  of 
his  retainers,  Richard  and  William  Penderell,  whose  fidelity  Lord  Derby  had 
already  experienced.  Being  divested  of  his  buff  coat,  his  George,  and  other  orna- 
ments, and  di  guised  in  a  leathern  doublet  and  woodman's  suit  belonging  to  those 
honest  yeomen,  the  king  parted  from  his  devoted  band  of  followers.  Under  the 
guidance  of  the  brothers  Penderell,  Charles  quitted  White  Ladies  by  a  back  door  it 
being  now  broad  day,  and  took  refuge  in  a  wood  called  Spring  Coppice,*  on  the 
Boscobel  demesne.  The  noblemen  and  gentlemen  rode  off  with  the  intention 
of  joining  Lesley's  horse  on  the  northern  road.  In  this  attempt  most  were  taken 
prisoners.  The  horse  under  Lesley,  as  in-fficient  in  retreat  as  iu  battle,  were 
shortly  dispersed  by  a  comparatively  trifling  force  of  republican  cavalry. 
In  the  meantime  the  King  enjoyed  comparative  security  under  the  protection  of 
the  Penderel  family.  This  loyal  brotherhood  consisted  of  6.  George  and  Thomasj 
the  latter  of  whom  fell  at  Edgehill,  had  served  in  the  army  of  Charles  I.  At  the 
time  of  the  battle  of  Worcester  the  5  survivors  were  living  as  tenants  of  the  Giffard 
family,  on  the  demesne  of  Boscobel  and  White  Ladies,  then  annexed  to  the 
principal  mansion  of  Chillington.  William  Penderel  resided  with  his  wife  in 
Boscobel  House ;  Richard  with  his  mother  at  Hubbal  Grange,  now  a  little  home- 
stead, and  where  all  the  brothers  were  born  ;  Humphrey  at  the  mill  of  White 
Ladies,  and  John  and  George  in  neighbouring  cottages,  occupying  small  portions 
of  land  in  paym-nt  of  their  services  as  woodmen.  On  Thursday  night,  when  it 
grew  dark,  his  Majesty  resolved  to  go  from  those  parts  into  Wales,  and  to  take 
Richard  Penderell  with  him  for  his  guide  ;  but  before  they  began  their  journey  his 
Majesty  went  into  Richard's  house  at  Hubbal  Grange,  where  the  old  good-wife 
Pendt-rell  had  not  onely  the  honour  to  see  his  Majesty,  but  to  see  him  attended  by 
her  son  Richard.      Here  his  Majesty  had  time  and  means  better  to  complete  his 


180    Charles  II. 's  Journey  with  Trusty  Dick. 

disguise.  His  name  was  agreed  to  be  "  Will  Jones."  and  his  arms  a  wood-bill. 
In  this  posture,  about  9  o'clock  at  night  (after  some  refreshment  taken  in  the 
house),  his  Majesty,  with  his  trusty  servant  Richard,  began  their  journey  on  foot. 
At  Evelith  Mill,  near  Shifnal,  they  met  with  an  ill-favoured  encounter.  The 
miller  had  been  protecting  in  his  mill  some  loyal  soldiers,  and  "  Trusty  Dick,"  un- 
happily allowing  a  gate  to  clap,  caused  the  miller  to  be  alarmed,  and  the  fugitive 
and  his  guide,  thinking  themselves  pursued,  hurried  away  by  an  unusual  route, 
and  waded  through  a  brook,  causing  the  king  some  discomfort,  and  here  he  would 
have  losthis  guide  that  dark  night  but  for  the  rustling  of  Dick's  calveskin  breeches. 
They  arrived  at  Madeley  about  midnight,  but  the  Severn  was  so  guarded  as  to 
make  a  passage  of  it  impossible.  After  spending  a  night  in  a  barn,  ami  a  day  in  a 
hay  mow,  the  king  and  his  guide  determined  to  return  to  Boscobel,  the  king 
previously  discolouring  his  hands  with  walnut  leaves.  They  started  on  the  return 
journey  about  11  o'clock  that  night,  and  arrived  at  Boscobel  about  three  in  the 
morning,  the  king  remaining  in  the  wood.  Here  Richard  found  Colonel  Carlis,* 
and  William  and  Richard  subsequently  assisted  the  King  and  the  Colonel  to  get 
up  into  a  thick-leaved  oak,  the  famous  Royal  Oak  of  Boscobel. 

That  night  the  King  spent  in  Boscobel  house,  in  the  secret  place  where  Lord 
Derby  had  been  secured.  And  here  Wm.  Penderell  shaved  him,  and  cut  his  hair, 
leav^Dg  some  about  the  ears,  according  to  the  country  mode.  Humphrey  Pendtrel 
went  tbis  day  (Saturday)  to  Shefnal  to  pay  seme  taxes,  where  a  colonel  of  the 
rebels  offered  him  £1000  for  discovering  the  King,  and  threatened  him  with  death 
for  concealment.  Humphrey,  however,  pleaded  ignorance,  and  returned  to 
Boscobel,  and  related  his  adventure.  Sunday  the  King  got  up  early  (his  dormitory 
being  none  of  the  best,  nor  his  bed  the  easiestt),  and  having  spent  some  time  in 
devotions,  surveyed  from  a  window  the  road  from  Tong  to  Brewocd.  In  the 
arbour  on  a  mount  he  spent  some  time  in  reading  on  Sunday.  Mr.  Huddleston, 
the  Catholic  priest,  now  did  some  good  service  ;  and  arranged  that  the  King  should 
go  to  Moseley,  en  route  for  Bentley.J  The  King  being  very  foot-soie,  it  was 
arranged  that  he  should  ride  upon  Humphrey's  mill-horse  (ft  r  Humphrey  was  the 
miller  of  White  Ladies  mill).  The  horse  was  taken  up  from  grass,  and  accoutred 
with  a  pitiful  old  saddle,  and  a  worse  bridle,  "  the  heaviest  dull  jade  he  ever  rode 
on,"  as  the  king  remarked,  to  which  Humphrey  rpjoined,  "  My  liege  can  you  blame 
the  horse  to  go  heavily,  when  he  has  the  weight  of  three  kingdoms  on  his  bick?" 

This  scene,  sketched  by  Miss  Bradley,  where  the  King, 
accompanied  by  the  five  Penderell  brothers,  sets  out  for 
Moseley,  is  represented  in  the  picture  on  the  black  marble 
chimney-piece  at  Boscobel  house ;  being  an  accurate  copy  of 
Blount's  print  in  the  Bodleian  library. 

*A  name  still  retained  by  the  plantation  at  Tong  Hill. 

*  A  family  seated  at  Albrighton  temp  Rich.  ii.  H.F.J. V.  says. 

f  A  hole  or  hiding  place  in  the  floor,  where  the  King  squeezed  himself  in,  and  some  very 
precipitous  steps  remain,  all  of  which  have  been  duly  tried  by  H.R.H.  the  Duchess  of  Teck 
and  many  royal  and  noble  personages  with  much  amusement. 

+  Mr.  Hodleston  was  tutor  to  Sir  John  Preston  (a  young  man),  a  guest  at  Moseley,  under 
the  assumed  name  of  Jackson,  to  protect  him  from  the  Puritans,  who  had  sequestered  his 
father's  property  ;  and  Mr.  Whitgreave  had  taken  the  opportunity  of  placing  his  two  nephews, 
Palyn  and  Reynolds  under  Father  Hodleston's  care.  It  was  on  Monday,  Sept.  8,  that  Father 
Hodleston,  under  pretence  of  personal  apprehension  as  a  Catholic  priest,  set  his  pupils,  Palyn, 
Reynolds,  and  Sir  John,  to  watch  from  the  garret  window  of  Moseley  the  approach  of  any 
rebel  parties. 


Charles  II. 's  Journey.  181 

The  gigantic  figure  immediately  behind  the  King  is  meant 
for  William,  whom  Hodleston  describes  as  so  tall  a  man 
that  his  breeches  hung  below  the  knees  of  Charles,  himself  a 
person  above  the  middle  size. 

The  King  arrived  at  Bentley,  where,  availing  himself  of  a 
pass  to  the  west,  that  Mistress  Jane  Lane  had  obtained  for 
herself  and  man,  he  performed  the  part  of  page,  and  rode 
before  her,  in  which  journey  Mistress  Lane  acted  as  a  most 
faithful  and  prudent  servant  to  his  Majesty,  shewing  her 
observance  when  opportunity  would  allow  it,  and  at  other 
times  acting  her  part  in  the  disguise  with  much  discretion. 
The  King's  narrative  says : — "  Memorandum,  that  one  Mr. 
Lassell's,  a  cousin  of  Mrs.  Lane's,  went  all  the  way  with  us 
from  Colonel  Lane's  on  horseback,  single,  I  riding  before  Mrs. 
Lane."  Thence  the  King  proceeded  to  Stratford,  Long  Marston, 
Cirencester,  and  Bristol,  and  eventually  to  Brightelmstone, 
whence  he  sailed  to  France. 

The  Watch,  given  by  Charles  II.  to  Jane  Lane,  was  ex- 
hibited at  the  Stuart  Exhibition  recently.  She  became  Lady 
Fisher,  and  died  in  1689.  A  pretty  picture  of  her  is  in  the 
Staffordshire  Archaeological  Collection ;  as  also  one  of 
Charles  II.  as  a  youth. 

The  day  after  he  left  Boscobel  the  rebels  called  and  made 
diligent  search  for  him  there  in  vain. 

The  name  of  Trusty  Dick  is  said  to  have  arisen  from  a 
dialogue  (related  by  Mrs.  Penderel,  a  maiden  descended  in  a 
direct  line  from  Richard  Penderel),  which  took  place  between 
him  and  his  wife,  in  the  silence  of  the  night,  and  overheard  by 
the  King  when  at  Hubbal  Grange.  The  dame  passionately 
reproved  her  husband  for  the  danger  he  had  incurred  for 
himself  and  family  by  concealing  Charles,  held  out  to  him  the 
certainty  of  the  splendid  reward  offered  for  his  apprehension, 
and  conjured  him  to  seize  the  golden  opportunity,  hinting  her 


182  Charles  II. 's  Journey. 

readiness  to  be  herself  the  informer.  Her  husband  replied 
with  much  indignation,  assuring  her  that  no  money  should 
bribe  him  to  desert  his  sovereign,  and  charging  her,  in  good 
set  terms,  as  she  valued  his  future  affection,  to  be  secret  and 
faithful  to  the  trust  imposed  upon  them.  Next  morning  the 
King  acquainted  Richard  with  his  having  overheard  the  con- 
versation, and  ever  after  distinguished  him  by  the  name  of 
Trusty  Dick.  After  King  Charles'  restoration  the  brothers 
Penderel  were  received  at  Court,  and  had  substantial  pensions 
for  their  fidelity.  Penderell  rents  are  still  paid  by  Lord  Brad- 
ford, Mr.  Giffard,  and  others,  to  the  descendants  of  this  loyal 
family. 

The  Penderell,  who  lived  at  Weston  in  the  cave  there, 
hewn  out  of  the  sandstone  rock,  was  probably  an  idle  relation 
(perhaps  a  brother)  of  the  loyal  band. 

It  was  King  Charles  II.  who  advanced  Viscount  Newport, 
of  the  Newport  family,  to  the  Earldom  of  Bradford. 

In  person,  Charles  II.  was  tall  and  well  proportioned,  his 
complexion  swarthy,  his  features  singularly  austere  and  for- 
bidding. The  disposition  of  his  mind  presented  an  extra- 
ordinary contrast  to  the  harsh  lines  traced  on  his  countenance. 
"  Whatever  might  have  been  his  failings  (and  they  were  too 
glaring  to  escape  observation),  few  monarchs  were  more 
beloved  by  the  people.  During  his  reign,  arts  improved, 
trade  met  with  encouragement,  and  the  wealth  and  comforts  of 
the  people  increased.  He  entered  London  29th  May,  1669, 
his  birthday,  amidst  the  most  universal  and  extraordinary 
demonstrations  of  joy." 

Oak-ball  day,  or  oak-apple  day,  is  named  from  this  circum- 
stance, and  the  school-boys'  local  rhyme  is  never  forgotten  : — 

Oak-ball  day, 
The  twenty-ninth,  of  May, 
If  you  don't  give  us  a  holiday 
We'll  all  run  away ! 


The  Royal  Oak.  183 

A  poet,  Thomas  Shipman,  more  gracefully  alludes  to  the 
subject : — 

Let  celebrated  wits  with  laurels  crown'd, 
And  wreaths  of  bays,  boast  their  triumphant  brows. 

I  will  esteem  myself  far  more  renown'd 
In  being  honoured  with  these  oaken  boughs. 

Charles  II.  issued  a  proclamation  dated  at  Tong  Norton, 
20th  August,  1 65 1. 

The  portrait  of  Charles  II.,  which  is  given  here,  is  a  con- 
temporary painting  in  the  possession  of  the  writer,  and  "  much 
resembling  Sir  Peter  Lely's,  picture  of  the  King  at  Bridewell 
Hall,  and  may  be  by  an  equally  able  artist  of  the  time,  such 
as  Riley." 

MEASUREMENTS    OP    THE     ROYAL     OAK. 


1881. 

Girth  1  foot  from  ground 

14  feet  1  inch. 

Nov.  11th 

»     4 

» 

" 

" 

12    „    2    „ 
11    „    6     „ 

„    10 

„ 

„ 

„ 

11   „   o    „ 

Length  of  trunk 

or  butt,|21 

feet. 

1883. 

Girth  1  foot  from  ground  14  feet  1  inch. 

Dee. 

»     4 

„ 

„ 

„ 

12    „    2    „ 

»     5 

„ 

„ 

„ 

11    »    6     „ 

„    10 

.    »» 

„ 

„ 

11   „   o    „ 

1885. 

Girth  1 

„ 

„ 

„ 

14    „    1     „ 

Jan.  21st. 

»      3 

„ 

„ 

„ 

13    „    2    „ 

„      5 

„ 

„ 

„ 

11    „    7    „ 

1886. 

Girth  1 

„ 

„ 

„ 

14    „    1     „ 

July  24th. 

„      4 
„   10 

» 

" 

" 

12    „    3     „ 

11    „    7    „ 
11   „   o    „ 

1889. 

Girtti  1 

„ 

„ 

„ 

14    „    1£  „ 

May  2. 

»     3 

» 

" 

» 

13    „    2    „ 
11    .,    7     „ 

It  is  from  data,  such  as  appeared  in  an  article  in  a  local 
paper  in  January,  1890,  that  wrong  impressions  are  formed. 
Some  of  the  reports  upon  the  Royal  Oak  (of  which  I  have  a 
collection)  bristle  with  inaccuracies  and  contradictions,  and 
these  arise  from  the  writers  not  having  verified  their  state- 
ments, but  having  written  from  "  hearsay,"  I  have  no  doubt. 

Preferring  as  I  do  to  rely  upon  the  well-weighed  opinions  of 
those  who  live  in  the  neighbourhood,  and  who  make  trees  a 


184  The  Royal  Oak. 

study  of  their  lives,  and  form  their  conclusions  from  frequent 
observations  at  various  seasons  of  the  year,  rather  than  on  the 
hastily-conceived  ideas  of  hurrying  tourists  who  devote  half- 
an-hour  to  the  inspection  of  a  celebrated  tree,  I  unhesitatingly 
advise  my  readers  that  this  tree  cannot  be  a  sapling  of  the 
Royal  Oak. 

It  is  a  tree  of  no  mean  dimensions,  as  the  above  measure- 
ments shew,  and  has  indications  of  numerous  branches  having 
been  lopped  off"  its  sides.  It  is  decaying  in  the  butt,  though 
so  vigorous  and  fair  to  view  ;  but  a  large  sheet  of  lead  hides 
the  hole  in  the  trunk. 

Partly  from  the  Rev.  H.  G.  de  Bunsen's  little  History  of 
Boscobel,  and  partly  viva  voce,  we  get  the  Earl  of  Bradford's 
account,  1878,  as  related  to  him  by  his  father,  which  is  gener- 
ally thus : — 

"  The  trees  and  underwood  were  in  full  leaf  in  September,  when  the  King  hid  in  the  Oak, 
not  decayed,  but  a  growing  tree.  It  became  well  known  to  Mr.  Giffard,  the  owner,  and  other 
loyalists.  After  the  restoration  (nine  years  after)  numbers  visited  it.  The  idea  of  its  being 
a  substitute,  least  of  all  an  acorn  from  the  tree,  his  lordship  discards  as  ludicrous  and 
absurd.  Known  it  himself  half  a  century.  Looks  same  now  as  then.  His  father  spoke  of 
the  absurd  stories  of  the  owl,  the  acorn,  &c.  He  used  to  say  his  father  and  grandfather 
spoke  in  the  same  sense,  which  would  carry  him  back  to  1740,  less  than  90  yenrs  after  the 
King  sat  in  it.  Tree3  in  the  park  at  Weston  estimated  at  1,100  or  1,200  years  old  ;  others  at 
600,  500,  and  400 ;  sometimes  a  smaller  tree  is  considerably  older  than  a  larger  one. 
Estimates  it  at  400  or  450  now,  i.e.,  220  then.  His  father,  the  late  Earl,  spoke  of  hearing 
from  those  who  went  before  him,  the  labouring  men  had  pointed  oat  the  tree  from  father 
to  son  as  the  Royal  Oak." 

Mr.  J.  S.  Hooker,  who  has  care. of  the  National  Gardens  at 
Kew,  writing  on  this  subject,  says  he  is  of  opinion  that  the 
maximum  age  of  oaks  may  be  between  800  and  1,000  years, 
and  he  judges  by  the  rapid  growth  of  trees  of  known  age,  and 
from  the  fact  that  the  insects  and  fungus  ravages  on  old  oak 

wood  are    so   multifarious   and   great He   is 

astonished  to  see  the  size  to  which  trees  have  attained,  which 
he  himself  planted  at  Kew  since  1865. 

At  the  Edinburgh  Forestry  Exhibition,  about  9  years  ago, 
much  interest  was  shewn  in  sections  of  two  Scotch  firs,  one 


THE  ROYAL  Oak. 


fpMW.Mi,    xxv- V—  »»yl  -» ../(///Ill'-        '"* 


,«£  ••—  •"•-  •••••  -;;:*•»< ■•-  •.'»". .»>//}  |) 


THE 


RPYAL 

BOSO 
OBEU 


The  Tree  is  from  a  Photograph  in  1879. 


The  Royal  Oak.  185 

23  feet  in  circumference,  distinctly  vouching  its  own  age  to  be 
217  years;  the  other,  a  lesser  tree,  18  feet  in  circumference, 
shewing  a  clear  record  of  year- circles  to  the  number  of  270. 
The  site  of  both  was  known,  as  well  as  the  dates  of  the  felling 
of  one,  and  the  blowing  down  of  the  other. 

The  above  measurements  of  the  Royal  Oak  have  been 
taken  by  Mr.  James  Craig,  the  Earl  of  Bradford's  head 
forester,  whose  careful  study  of  this  and  other  trees  for  many 
years  firmly  convinces  him  that  this  is  no  two-century 
"  sapling  "  as  some  suggest.  He  further  says  that  Mr.  H.  S. 
Cumming's  Paper  on  the  Royal  Oak,  read  before  the  British 
Association,  is  written  in  a  sensational  and  romancing  spirit ; 
and  any  relics  that  it  mentions  might  all  have  been  made  out 
of  the  many  boughs  and  limbs  that  have  been  taken  from  the 
tree.  Mr.  Craig  points  out  some  errors  made  by  Mr.  Collins, 
forester,  of  Trentham,  and  says  the  girth  of  the  tree  round  the 
surface  of  the  ground  is  only  15ft.  7m.  (instead  of  1 6ft.  3m., 
as  Mr.  Collins  says),  and  the  girth  at  5ft.  from  the  ground 
11ft.  7m.  This  is  a  little  more  than  it  used  to  measure, 
because  the  sheet  of  lead  has  been  fastened  on  lately,  and 
bulges  out  more  than  it  used  to  do.  Also  the  tree  shows  scars 
all  up  the  stem,  where  branches  have  been  cut  off  from  time 
to  time  ;  and  records  bear  testimony  to  this  fact,  that  at  one 
period  of  its  existence  it  would  have  been  difficult  to  find  a 
tree  in  the  Forest  with  more  leafy  surface.  The  heart  is 
quite  rotten  at  that  large  hole  in  the  stem  that  is  covered  over 
with  a  sheet  of  lead  about  3ft.  by  2ft. 

Mr.  James  Hope,  head  gardener  at  Weston  for  35  years, 
writes  me  :  I  do  not  think  the  Oak  at  Boscobel  a  sapling.  I 
have  no  doubt  but  it  was  a  good  sized  tree  when  the  King 
was  there,  and  quite  large  enough  to  hide  anyone,  with  the 
foliage  on. 


186  The  Royal  Oak. 

It  shews  marks  on  the  bark  of  the  trunk,  where  low 
branches  have  been  removed.  It  may  easily  have  been  a 
pollarded  tree,  and  from  the  accompanying  reproductions  of 
photographs  anyone  will  perceive  that  conclusions,  quite  at 
variance,  may  be  arrived  at  respecting  it. 

Mr.  Barnett's  dimensions  of  the  Royal  Oak,  taken  in 
presence  of  Mr.  Brooke  and  Mr.  Botfield  in  1857  : — Girth 
just  "  above  the  ground  "  (too  indefinite  to  rely  on),  15ft. ;  at 
4  feet  above  the  ground,  lift.  4m.  This  must  have  included 
the  large  piece  of  lead  shewn  in  one  of  the  views  where  the 
trunk  is  rotten  in  the  side,  hence  the  discrepancy  with  the 
recent  measure. 

Charles  II.  (in  Pepys'  Diary)  said : — 

"A  great  oak  in  a  pretty  plain  place,  that  had  been  lopt  some  three  or  four  years  before, 
and,  being  grown  out  again  very  bushy  and  thick,  could  not  be  seen  through." 

The  tree  readily  accords  with  the  King's  description  in  The 
History  of  His  Sacred  Majesty's  Preservation  (1809),  "  Boscobel  " 
pt.  1.  "  Where  the  Colonel  made  choice  of  a  thick-leav'd 
oak." 

Blount  in  his  Boscobel,  published  in  1660,  says  : — 

"Hundreds  of  people  have  flock'd  to  see  the  famous  Boscobel  .  .  .  but  chiefly  to  behold 
the  Boyal  Oake,  which  has  been  deprived  of  all  its  young  boughsf  by  the  numerous  visiters  of 
it,  who  keep  them  in  memory  of  His  Majesty's  happy  preservation  ;  insomuch  that  Mr.  Fitz- 
herbert  has  been  forced  in  due  season  of  the  year  to  crop  part  of  it  for  its  preservation,  and 
has  lately  been  at  the  charge  to  fence  it  about  with  a  high  pale." 

The  Rev.  Geo.  Plaxton,  vicar  of  SherifThales,  1673,  rector 
of  Donnington,  1690- 1703,  says  in  a  paper  of  1707  : — 

"  I  had  nothing  very  remarkable  at  Donington,  save  the  Boyal  Oak  at  Boscobel.  The  Boyal 
oak  was  a  fair  spread  thriving  tree.  The  boughs  of  it  were  all  lined  and  covered  with  ivy.  Here 
in  the  thick  of  these  boughs  the  King  sate  .  .  .  they  arc  strangely  mistaken  who  judged  it 
an  old  hollow  oak,  whereas  it  was  a  gay  and  flourishing  tree,  surrounded  with  a  great  mnny 
more." 

This  is  a  very  natural  description.  It  would  have  been  mad 
folly  to  choose  a  large  tree  standing  alone,  or  one  that  would 
call  attention  to  itself. 

f  Probably  the  lower  boughs  easily  reached,  which  have  evidently  been  cut  off,  as  the  bark 
shows  now. 


(Page  53). 


WILLIAM  PENDERELL 
(page  179). 


Sir  Kenelm  Digby 

(Page  173). 


!  CIHT.IIAC.IS09. 


ROYAL    OAK:THEBRICK     WAL 

(page  187). 


The  Royal  Oak.  187 

Mr.  Plaxton  further  says  : — 

"  The  poor  remains  of  the  Royal  Oak  are  now  fenced  in  by  a  handsome  brick  wall    .    .    . 
put  up  20  or  30  years  ago  by  Basil  and  Jane  Fitzherbert." 

The  view  of  this  in  the  Gentleman's  Magazine  shews  the  tree 
much  as  at  present,  and  the  brick  wall  surrounding  it. 

Evelyn  (born  1620,  died  1706)  "  Silva"  published  1729, 
edition  reprint  of  17 14,  speaks  of  remarkable  oaks,  bearing 
strange  leaves,  &c. : — 

"  The  people  never  left  hacking  the  boughs  and  bark  till  they"  kill'd  the  tree  [in  New 
Forest] ;  as  I  am  told  they  have  serv'd  that  famous  oak  near  "White  Lady's." 

Mr.  Thos.  Arnold,  who  transcribed  it,  remarks  this  sentence 
was  not  in  the  edition  of  1679,  being  an  insertion  of  later 
editions.  The  first  edition  was  1664.  This  "  as  I  am  told," 
is  only  hearsay  evidence,  and  not  reliable,  as  he  was  writing 
without  local  knowledge. 

Dr.  Charlett,  writing  in  1702  to  Pepys  : — 

"  The  trunk  of  the  Royal  Oak  is  now  enclosed  within  a]  round  wall,  with'an  inscription 
having  no  date." 

Dr.  Stukeley,  in  a  letter,  Dec.  171 3  : — 

"  A  bow  shot  from  the  house,  just  by  a  horse  track  passing  through  the  wood,  stood  the  Royal 
Oak.    The  tree  is  now  enclosed  within  a  brick  wall,  the  inside  whereof  is  covered  frith  laurel 
.    .    the  oak  is  in  the  middle,  almost  cut  away  by  travellers,  whose  curiosity  leads  them 
to  see  it.     Close  by  the  side  grows  a  young  thriving  planb  from  one  of  its  acorns." 

This  gentleman  relates  the  story  of  the  owl  as  they  related 
to  us,  which  formed  valuable  material  for  Ainsworth's  Novel ; 
but  is  a  pretty  fiction,  finding  no  basis  in  fact.  He  does  not 
say  that  he  saw  the  tree  himself,  and  Mr.  Dale  wrote,  not 
many  years  after,  that  "it  is  going  to  decay." 

Mr.  Charles  Dunster,  M.A.,  writes,  in  a  work  dedicated 
1 79 1,  whether  from  hearsay  or  not  he  does  not  say.  It  does 
not  appear  that  he  had  seen  the  place : — 

"  The  old  tree  in  which  the  King  was  hid  was  soon  after  cut  down  and  carried  off,  bntone 
is  still  shewed  as  the  Royal  Oak,  having  been  raised  (it  is  said)  from  an  acorn  of  the  old  tree. 
The  present  true  is  a  large  one,  and  appears  to  be  about  four  score  years  old.  The  bark  and 
sides  are  much  torn  and  cut  by  the  curiosity  of  its  visitors." 


i88  Royal  and  Local  Oaks. 

The  Rev.  J.  Dale,  1845  : — 

"Tire  site  of  present  tree  accords  with  that  on  which  the  old  tree  is  represented  in  the 
engraving  [Blount's  Boscobel]  to  have  stood.  Old  persons  had  indistinct  recollections  that 
present  tree  did  not  stand  in  centre  of  the  plot  enclosed  by  a  wall  earlier  than  Miss  Evans', 
but  nearer  to  an  angle  of  it." 

Plaxton  makes  no  mention  of  the  sapling  or  successor  ;  but 
his  description  accords  with  the  King's. 

Mr.  Dale  gives  opinions  to  Mr.  Botfield  and  Mr.  Brooke, 
later,  against  the  identity :  (saying  50  years  ago  he  was  told  it 
had  been  rooted  up,  writing  in  1857)  :  this  is  "  The  Bishton 
Legend!"  He  also,  writing  in  1845,  said,  "The  present 
Royal  Oak  is  now  rapidly  going  to  decay,"  and  attributes  it  in 
some  part  to  the  removal  of  the  wall,  and  consequent  ex- 
posure to  storms,  &c. 

Mr.  Dale  also  said  it  was  a  shy  bearer,  not  bringing  acorns 
to  perfection  oftener  than  once  in  8  or  10  years. 

Mr.  Stubbs,  old  gardener  at  Boscobel,  again  refutes  this  in 
1878,  saying  it  only  failed  to  bear  acorns  once  in  10  years,  and 
that  was  last  year,  1877. 

Rev.  J.  Dale,  curate  of  Donington,  found  the  broken  stone 
(blue  gold  letters)  broken,  and  a  new  inscription  "  restored  by 
Basil  and  Eliza  Fitzherbert  about  33  years  ago,  i.e.,  1812" 
Mr.  Evans  soon  after  bought  Boscobel. 

The  brick  wall  and  the  brass  inscription  were  removed  in 
18 1 7,  when  iron  pallisades  were  put  at  Miss  Frances  Evans' 
cost. 

The  Rev.  H.  G.  de  Bunsen  notes  in  1878  : — 

"Mr.  Dale's  anticipations  have  not  been  realized  !  The  Oak  still  looks  like  a  flourishing 
tree,  and  lias  no  appearance  of  decay  about  it  at  the  present  time." 

There  are  two  inaccuracies  in  the  article  of  January,  1890, 
before  referred  to.  First,  there  is  the  trifling  error  of  10  feet 
in  the  height  of  the  tree  (57  should  be  67ft.)  ;  secondly,  the 
soil  in  which  it  grows,  Mr.  Brown,  who  occupies  the  land, 
says  is  certainly  not  marl,  as  stated  therein. 


Girth 

Date 

at  4  ft. 

Measured. 

Remarks. 

ft.  in. 

25     7     . 

.     Oct. 

1883 

22    9     . 

.     Nov 

1884 

26     6     . 

.     including  ivy 

19     2     . 

„ 

18     7     . 

„ 

.. 

17     6     . 

.. 

20     0 

„ 

20    1     . 

Famous  Trees.  189 

Mr.  Ralph  said  in  a  paper,  re  Boscobel,  that  the  King's 
account  and  Lord  Clarendon's  account  are  inaccurate,  quoting 
Stukeley's  as  correct,  who  gave  the  account  "as  they  related 
to  us."  Mr.  Ralph  says  it  is  not  a  pollard  tree  !  also  that 
there  are  no  records  of  White  Ladies  ! 

The  following  are  Mr.  Craig's  measurements  of  large  local 
trees,  which  may  interest  arboriculturists  : — 

Girth 

at  1  ft. 

ft.  in. 

The  larger  Oak  of  2  at  Aqualate 28    6 

Great  Oak  in  Weston  Park     31     2 

Large  0;*k  near  Weston  Hall  Stables  27  0 
Oriental  Plane  on  Weston  Hall  Lawn  27    3 

Lime  (N)  near  Pendrill's  Cave 23     6 

Lime(S)  „  , 23  10 

Oak  in  Forge  Croft    22    4 

Oak  near  Black  Fir  Clump 25    0 

Wellingtonia  near  Temple  110..  . .  . .  Height  47ft.  6in. 

11  Weston  and  its  glorious  Oaks "  are  mentioned  in  Lady 
John  Manners'  (now  Duchess  of  Rutland's)  Life  of  Lord 
Beaconsfield,  as  one  of  the  places  where  that  great  statesman 
enjoyed  a  quiet  retreat  from  the  bustle  of  political  life. 

White  Oak  (see  page  139)    18 

Brewer's     Oak,    at    Crackley    Bank 

(named  from  a  suicide,  Brewer)...  14 
Pine,  in  front  of  Tong  Castle 16 

*Girth  at  3  ft.    Height  97  feet. 

Alder  at  Woodlands  21 

Oak  at  Brockhurst 24 

(hole  inside,  5ft.  3in.  by  4ft.) 

The  following  are  dimensions  of  an  oak,  felled  in  1881,  in 
Lady  Wicket  field,  on  Weston  Estate,  half-a-mile  from 
Boscobel,  but  within  the  area  of  the  same  old  forest  of 
Brewood,  taken  Nov.  11,  1881  : — Girth  at  ift.  from  ground, 
14ft.  gin. ;  at  4ft.,  lift.  8in. ;  length  of  trunk,  22ft.  This  tree 
had  215  concentric  rings,  and  its  dead  tops  or  stag-horns  were 
cut  off  about  30  years  ago,  evidenced  by  woodmen  now  living, 
and  bore  the  marks  of  having  been  so  dealt  with.  The  age  of 
this  tree,  allowing  for  the  time  between  which  it  ceased  to 


14 

1 

. .      Nov.  1884 

11 

4 

13 

6 

..* 

17 

7 

24 

3 

190  Famous  Trees. 

form  wood,  and  commenced  to  shew  signs  of  decay,  would 
bring  its  age  to  300  years  at  least,  and  probably  nearer  400. 
And  this  tree  threw  out  considerable  foliage. 

The  following  sizes  are  from  Sylva  Britannica,  1822  : — 

SVilcar  Oak,  in  Needw>nd  Forest,  is  known  by  historical  documents  to  be  600 
years  old— girth  at  6ft.,  21ft.  4£in. 

The  Beggar's  Oak  in  Bait's  Park— at  5ft.,  20ft.  girth. 
Givat  Oak  of  Panshanger,  Earl  Cowper's,  is  19ft.  girth  at  3ft. 
At  Tatbury,  the  WycQ  Elm  or  Wychhazel,  formerly  used  for  the  longbow,  is 
16  ft.  9in.  at  5ft. 

In  this  once  favor'd  walk  beneath  these  elms, 
Oft  in  instructive  converse  we  beguil'd 
The  fervid  time,  which  each  returning  year, 
To  friendship's  call  devoted.    Such  things  were  : 
But  are  alas  !  no  more. 

8.  Dunelm. 

The  Yew  at  Ankerwyke  is  supposed  to  be  1000  years  old. 
"  The  Eugh  obedient  to  the  bender's  will." 

Spenser. 
It  was  formerly  much  u*ed  in  Queen  Elizabeth's  time  for  htdges.  when  it  was 
enjoined  t  >  bi  planted  in  all  Churchyards  partly  to  ensure  its  cultivation,  partly 
to  secure  its  leaves  and  seed  from  doing  injury  to  cattle,  and  partly  its  unc  anging 
colour  made  it  a  fit  emblem  of  immortality,  audits  dark  green  gave  the  solemnity 
of  the  grave. 

Of  Ash,  ''the  Venus  of  the  Forest,"  at  Woburn,  is  a  great  Ash,  15ft.  3io.  at  3ft. 
from  ground. 

The  B  ack  Poplar  (held  sacred  to  Hercules),  at  Bury  St.  Edmunds,  is  15ft.  girth 
at  3ft. 

The  Tort  worth  Chestnut  is  the  oldest  in  England  :  and  the  Plane  at  Lee  Court  is 
14ft.  8  m.  at  6  feet. 

The  contributions  of  zealous  opponents  of  the  Royal  Oak's 
identity  as  the  king's  refuge  are  marked  by  many  contradic- 
tions and  prejudiced  views. 

It  will  be  as  well  here  to  mention  the  comparisons  quoted 
by  Jarco  (see  Bygones,  May,  1877)  of  certain  trees  in  a  timber 
merchant's  yard,  which  happened  to  be  of  the  same  size,  and 
from  which  he  concluded  that  the  present  oak  is  no  years  old, 
or  perhaps  150  ! 

Among  papers  sent  me  by  Lady  Evans  in  1888,  reference  is 
made  to  the  M.S.  in  Mr.  Thomas  Whitgreave's  handwriting 
on   six  separate  sheets  ;  and  marked  with  genuine  features  of 


The  Royal  Oak.  191 

the  facetious  monarch.  She  also  sent  other  remarks  of 
11  Philarchus  "  and  "  Observator."  Philarchus  wrote,  in  1789, 
to  the  Gentleman's  Magazine,  viz. :  that  a  maid  servant  pointed 
out  the  field  where  the  tree  once  was,  and  says  there  stood  the 
tree,  which  is  now  gone,  and  was  a  lone  and  pollarded  tree, 
and  other  notes  upon  the  House,  &c.  Observator,  writing  in 
1790,  June  12,  says  "  descriptions  should  be  just  and  accurate, 
and  conjecture  only  permitted  where  facts  cannot  be  ascer- 
tained. How  can  we  excuse  the  negligence  and  impropriety 
of  your  correspondent  Philarchus,  a  person  who  pretends  to 
write  from  personal  observation,  who  has  given  such  a  loose 
and  erroneous  account  ....  which  is  highly  reprehen- 
sible."      "  The  object  of  your  miscellany  ought 

to  be  the  recording  matters  of  fact,  not  the  repository  for 
groundless  and  ridiculous  conjecture";  and  he  points  out 
other  numerous  errors  of  Philarchus. 

An  inscription  (embodying  the  older  ones  of  1677  and  1787) 
prepared  by  Rev.  R.  P.  Thursfield,  and  affixed  to  the  tree  by 
the  Rev.  Joseph  Dale,  29th  May,  1845,  bore  in  Latin  words, 
after  reciting  the  previous  inscription  one  thus  rendered  "  The 
present  oak  sprung,  it  is  said,  from  the  above-named  tree,  Frances 
Evans  ....  has  fenced  in  with  the  present  iron  railing, 
1817. 

This  brass  plate  was  removed  soon  after,  and  the  words  in 
italics  were  altered  into  "  Hanc  Arborem  "  (this  tree),  she 
being  persuaded  that  the  present  tree  is  the  identical  tree 
which  had  sheltered  the  King. 

There  was  also  an  English  inscription  placed  there  by  her 
desire. 

The  Misses  Evans,  who  owned  Boscobel,  had  another 
house  at  Allestree,  near  Derby.  On  the  survivor's  decease 
Boscobel  passed  to  Mr.  T.  W.  Evans,  who  was  afterwards 
created  a  baronet,  but  dying  without  issue  the  estate  passed 
to  the  Rev.  E.  Carr,  the  present  owner. 


192  Primeval  Oaks,  &c. 

It  is  a  matter  for  public  congratulation  that  the  Evans 
Family  and  their  successor,  the  Rev.  Canon  Carr,  so  kindly 
allow  this  historic  spot  to  be  viewed  by  the  public  daily 
(Sundays  excepted),  a  privilege  which  H.R.H.  the  Duchess  of 
Teck,  the  Duchess  of  York,  and  many  noble  personages,  in- 
cluding M.  de  Waddington,  a  descendant  of  the  Pendrills, 
gladly  availed  themselves  of.  The  Visitors'  Books,  under  the 
care  of  Miss  Brown,  are  a  delightful  record  of  loyalty  and 
autography. 

Of  single  trees,  relics  of  primeval  forests,  which  have  been 
preserved  to  our  own  times,  Mr.  Beriah  Botfield  mentioned  : — 

"Christ's  Oak  once  at  Cressage,  a  name  recalliDg  the  period  when  Christian 
Missionaries  fir*t  taught  the  Gospel  to  heathen  Saxons  under  the  tree." 

"The  Lady  Oak,  which  still  exists  at  the  same  place,  was  clearly  so  called  in 
honour  of  the  Virgin." 

"  Th«  ancient  and  gigantic  Lime  which  adorns  the  precincts  of  Pitchfcrd  Hall." 
"  Owen  Glendwyr's  Oak  (the  Shelton  Oak)  whence  that  chieftain  is  said  to  have 
witnessed  the  Battle  of  Shrewsbury,  1403,  ?till  standing  mar  Shrewsbury.  This 
was  described  as  a  "  j?r««at  tree*'  in  1540.  Though  now  hollow  and  decayed,  it 
girths  upward*  of  44  ft.,  and  has  some  branches  still  fresh  and  vigorous."*  It  is 
mentioned  by  Shakespeare — 

"  How  the  grette  oake  at  Shelton  standeth  on  my  grounde." 

When  so  eminent  an  authority  as  Mr.  Botfield  describes 
these  trees  as  relics  of  primeval  forests,  how  easily  may  less 
experienced  people  be  mistaken  in  their  views  of  the  age  of 
trees  at  the  present  day. 

The  Lapley  Oak  was  mentioned  by  Plot  in  1686  : — 

"  Thus  out  of  a  great  Oak,  that  grew  at  Lapley,  of  about  6  Tunns  of  Timber  [about  240 
feet],  brought  to  Elmhurst  for  the  new  building  the  house,  there  was  a  great  Toad  sawn 
forth  of  the  middle  of  the  tree  in  a  place  which,  when  growing,  was  12  or  14  foot  from  the 
ground,  the  tree  being  sound  and  intire  in  all  parti  quit  round,  saving  just  where  the  Toad 
lay,  it  was  black  and  corrupted  and  crumbled  away  like  sawdust."-)- 

Mrs.  Baldwyn  Childe  says  that  at  Kyre  Park  are  some 
enormous  oaks,  no  doubt  planted  in  Norman  times,  for  the 
licence  to  plant  them  is  dated  1275. 

*  Address  at  Shrewsbury,  1860.  +  Plot's  Staffordshire,  168C. 


Philosophical  Summary.  193 

In  conclusion,  let  me  quote  some  lines  of  Proverbial 
Philosophy,  written  by  a  negro,  who,  rather  bold  and  severely, 
sums  up  in  a  comical  manner  his  lessons  of  a  lifetime  : — 

Dar's  a  heap  o'  dreadful  music  iu  de  very  finest  fiddle  : 
A  ripe  and  mellow  apple  may  be  rotten  in  de  middle ; 
Dar's  a  lot  of  solid  kicking  in  de  humblest  kind  o'  mule  : 
De  wisest-looking  trabeller  may  be  de  biggest  f— —  ; 
De  preacher  ain't  de  holiest  dat  wears  de  meekest  look, 
And  does  de  loudest  banging  on  de  kiver  o'  de  book. 

All  lovers  of  historical  treasures  are  wary  of  historical 
fiction,  and  I  advise  them  to  defer  still  longer  from  arraying 
themselves  on  the  side  of  those  who  declare  for  the  imposture 
of  a  Royal  historical  tree. 


WHITE     LADIES. 


Not  far  from  this  Town  (Tong)  and  Castle    is   Whitladyes,    the   seat   of    Mr. 
Gifford  and  Boscobel  so  famous  for  the  Oak. — Cox's  Mayna  Britannia,  1720. 


HE  Convent  of  White  Ladies  was  so-called  from  the 
habit  of  that  colour  worn  by  the  Cistercian  Nuns, 
who  occupied  it.  It  is  supposed  to  have  been 
founded  or  established  in  the  reign  of  King 
Richard  I.  or  King  John  possibly  by  Herbert  Walter,  Arch- 
bishop of  Canterbury,  about  1195  ;  but  J.  C.  Anderson,  in  his 
History  of  Shropshire,  says  that  Mr.  Eyton  finds  that  Ema 
de  Pulverbatch  having  granted  a  virgate  in  Beobridge  to  these 
White  Nuns  earlier  than  1186,  granted  the  remainder  in  1186 
to  Haughmond  Abbey,  so  he  concludes  that  the  founda- 
tion may  be  as  early  as  1185.  All  antiquarians  are 
silent  upon  it,  and  "no  Chartulary  or  even  a  legend  exists  to 
throw  a  light  upon  its  origin,"  says  J.  C.  Anderson  in  his 
History  of  Shropshire.  Dedicated  to  St.  Leonard,  it  was  a 
house  parochially  and  manorially  independent,  whose  pro- 
perty was  acquired  by  gradual  instalments,  each  representing 
the  consignment  of  some  female  member  of  a  wealthy  or 
powerful  family  to  the  service  of  religion  ;  these,  in  time,  came 
to  be  represented  by  a  large  aggregate,  and  in  1536,  the  Prioress 
returned  the  gross  annual  value  of  this  Convent,  derivable 
from  demesne  lands  at  White  Ladies,  and  from  various  rents 
in  Notts,  Staffordshire,  and  Salop,  at  £31  is.  4d. 

Leland  says  in  his  Itinerary:—"  Byrwoode,  a   Priory    of 
White  Nunnes,  lately    suppressid,  in   the    very  Marche   of 


Bishop's  Wood.  195 

Shropshire  toward  Darbyshire."*  It  was  within  the  Forest 
of  Brewood,  whose  boundaries  described  by  Mr.  Botfield, 
were  :  Weston  and  Bishop's  Wood  on  the  North,  Brewood 
and  Chillington  on  the  East,  and  Albrighton,  Donington,  and 
Tong  on  the  South  and  West. 

The  Bishop's  Wood,  reference  to  which  has  already  been 
made  on  pages  10,  139,  and  140,  as  also  to  White  Ladies 
pages  12  and  139,  was  granted  by  Henry  II.  in  1153,  to 
the  Bishop  of  Lichfield. 

Bishop's  Wood  was  in  Brewde,  in  Domesday.  Brewood 
belonged  exclusively  to  the  Bishop  of  Chester,  i.e.,  Coventry 
and  Lichfield  styled  Chester,  in  nth  and  12th  centuries  ;  the 
White  Nuns  being  called  of  Brewood  because  they  were  in 
Brewood  Forest.  So  far  from  the  two  Convents  constituting 
one  foundation  they  had  nothing  to  connect  but  their  propin- 
quity and  nothing  in  common  but  the  spirit  of  rivalry  which 
was  mutual,  Mr.  Eyton  says. 

In  1200,  the  Bishop  was  to  enclose  from  the  forest,  a  park 
in  his  wood  of  Brewude,  which  was  to  be  two  leagues  in 
circumference,  Weston  being  the  forest's  northern  boundary. 

In  1204,  the  King  has  altogether  disafforested  his  forest  of 
Brewude,  and  the  men  who  dwelt  therein  for  ever. 

In  1206,  the  King  gives  the  Bishop  license  to  make  a  decoy 
saltatorium  in  his  park  of  Brewde.  A  saltatorium  is  a  deer- 
leap,  so  constructed  that  the  deer  could  jump  over  the  park 
pales  from  the  forest  into  the  Bishop's  Park,  but  not  back 
again.  There  was  one  near  Shifnal,  not  far  from  the 
Manor-house  of  the  King's  Forester  of  Wellington  Forest. 

In  1209,  Hamo  de  Weston  and  John  Bagot  were  indicted 
for  receiving  marksmen  and  hounds  at  Blymhill  and  Weston, 
but  the  result  was  not  given,  as  the  illicit  objects  were  un- 
decipherable. 

*  Error  for  Staffordshire. 


196  The  White  Nuns  and  Prioresses. 

131 5.  Hugh  de  Beaumes,  wishing  to  benefit  this  Convent, 
inquired  for  the  King's  permission  to  grant  30  acres  in  Donyn- 
ton  to  the  Prioress,  The  Jurors  sat  at  Donynton,  and  held 
that  the  grant  would  be  harmless.  The  same  Hugh  grants 
a  messuage  in  Shakerlew,  which  John  atte  Syche*  held  to 
John,  his  brother,  and  wood  for  fire  and  fence  and  common 
right  for  own  stock,  and  240  sheep  of  other  people. 

Undertenants  of  the  Nuns  were  at  Neachley,  Shackerley 
and  Kilsall. 

In  1 21 2,  King  John  granted  to  the  White  Nuns — he  may  have 
been  at  Brewood  at  the  time,  a  Weir  called  "  Withlakeswere  '* 
in  River  Severn,  near  Bridgnorth  ;  and  in  1225,  Alditha 
Prioress,  and  her  Convent  of  Brewe,  and  Cecilia,  another 
Prioress,  each  granted  half  the  rent  of  the  Weir  to  Henry  of 
Brug. 

By  Inquisition,  1255,  the  Nuns  of  Brewood  are  in  receipt 
of  6/8  rent  in  Brug,  and  a  few  years  later'of  other  income  in 
that  Borough  ;  Agnes  was  Prioress  about  then. 

In  1288,  the  Prioress  had  right  of  Common  Pasture  in 
Rugge. 

In  1292,  Sarra,  Prioress,  complained  that  she  had  not 
enough  of  pasture,  and  defeated  William  de  Rugge,  in  a  suit. 

1286.  In  the  Pleas  of  Cannock  Forest,  the  Staffordshire 
Archceological  Society's  Transactions,  Vol.  V.,  page  163,  expublic 
records  occurs  : — 

It  was  presented  that  when  the  huntsmen  of  the  King  were  hunting  in  the 
bailiwicke  of  Gauel^ye  4  E.  I. ,  they  put  up  a  stag  with  their  dogs,  and  followed  it 
as  far  as  the  Park  at  Brewode  into  a  wood  there,  and  John  dela  Wytemore  came 
up  with  a  bow  and  arrow  and  shot  at  it,  and  it  fled  out  of  the  forest  as  far  as  the 
fish  p->nd  of  the  Nuns  of  Brewode,  and  the  said  John  followed  it  and  dragged  it 
out  dead  from  the  said  fish  pond  (vivarium)  ;  and  John  Giffard,  of  Chyl'yngton 
came  up  and  stated  he  had  pursued  the  stag,  and  claimed  the  whole  of  it;  and 
they  skinned  it  and  the  said  John  took  half  of  it  and  carried  it  to  his  house,  and 


*  White  Sitch  in  Weston. 


The  Bishop's  Deer-Leap.  197 

the  Nuns  of  Brewode  had  the  other  half.  As  they  are  poor  they  are  pardoned  for 
the  good  of  the  King's  soul,  and  although  the  said  stag  was  taken  outside  the  forest, 
yet  it  was  the  chasia  of  tbe  King,  and  put  up  by  his  d^gs  within  the  forest,  and 
taken  in  front  of  th^m  against  t  >e  assize.  The  Sheriff  is  ordered,  therefore,  to 
arrest  the  said  John  and  John,  who  being  convicted  of  the  above  were  committed 
to  prison.  John  de  la  Wytemore  was  fiued  1  mark,  and  John  de  Chilinton 
(sic)  20s. 

And  the  same  Bishop  [Roger]  has  a  saltatorium  [deer  leap]  against  the  forest,  in 
his  part  of  Brewode  which  adjoins  the  boundaries  of  the  forest,  to  the  injury  of  the 
said  forest.  It  is  not  known  by  what  warrant.  He,  being  infirm  aud  weak, 
appeared  by  his  attorney,  Robert  de  Pype,  at  Lichfield.  Said  he  was  not  bound  to 
answer  except  by  the  King's  writ,  nor  without  his  peers,  the  Barons  of  England, 
said  he  found  his  church  in  seisin  of  the  woods  with  power  of  taking  venison,  &c. 
Tne  Bishop  commanded  to  appear  before  the  King  at  the  Parliament.  Nothing 
was  done,  but  later  the  forest  was  taken  into  the  King's  hands,  the  Bishop  showing 
no  warrant.  Bishop  subsequently  took  proceedings  to  recover,  and  produced 
charters,  aad  showed  his  predecessors  had  been  accustomed  to  hunt  and  take  in  the 
woods  at  will,  beasts  which  came  from  the  f  jrest  of  the  King. 

After  further  proceedings,  Bishop  came  before  King  at  Westminster,  18  Ed.  I. , 
and  gave  up  all  his  woods,  etc.,  in  Cannock  Forest,  and  the  King  of  his  special 
favour  conceded  and  granted  again  to  the  Bishop  the  same  woods,  to  hold  in  free 
and  perpetual  alms  as  his  free  chase  fer  ever,  and  so  that  it  may  be  lawful  for  him 
to  inolose  his  woods  and  make  parks  m  them  at  his  will,  sc  long  as  he  and  his 
successors  made  in  them  no  saltaries  or  used  nets  to  capture  the  King's  deer — 
and  for  this  concession  the  Bishop  gave  to  the  King  £1,000. 

1304.  Inquest  whether  it  would  injure  the  King"  if  it  be 
allowed  John  de  Beaumeys  to  grant  10  acres  of  land  and  10 
acres  of  wood  in  Donynton,  to  the  Prioress  of  White  Nuns  of 
Brewod.     Inquest  in  favor. 

1 3 18.  Submission  of  the  Priory  of  White  Nuns  to  the 
Papal  Ordinance — as  to  Church  of  Tibshelf,  Co.  Derby. 

Elizabeth  la  Zouche,  great  granddaughter  of  the  loyal 
Alan,  (see  page  11)  caused  a  flutter  of  excitement  by  escaping 
from  White  Ladies  Nunnery  in  1326,  with  Alice  de  Kallerhal, 
Nuns  regularly  professed  of  this  house,  who  had  left  their 
Convent. 

The  Bishop  causes  publication  to  be  made  in  Churches  ;* 
all  who  aided  or  abetted  to  be  severely  punished. 

*  See  Notes  by  W.  Salt  Archaeological  Society  Publications,  and  Ey  ton's  Antiquities. 


198  Election  of  Prioress. 

Bishop  Norbury's  Register  (Lichfield),  says  in  133 1, 
Elizabeth  la  Zouche  makes  her  confession  before  the 
Bishop  in  Brewood  Church,  her  petition  before  the  Con- 
vent Gate  for  re-admission,  after  which  absolution  by  the 
Bishop,  and  admission  to  penance.* 

Also  1338:  An  Order  falling  heavily  on  the  Prioress  for 
expenses  voluptarioe,  dress  and  laxity  of  rule  ;  Canes  Venatici 
(dogs  of  the  chase)  were  found  in  the  Convent. 

1332.  The  Priory  was  vacant  by  the  resignation  of  Dame 
Joan  de  Huggeford,  last  Prioress.  On  the  third  day  of  the 
vacancy,  the  Sub-Prioress  and  Convent  met,  and  agreed  to 
elect  a  Prioress  by  scrutiny,  whereon  Agnes  de  Weston,  Sub- 
Prioress,  and  two  others  collected  and  announced  the  votes 
of  the  Convent.  The  result  was  the  election  of  Dame  Alice 
Harlegh,  which  was  quashed  by  the  Bishop,  who  appointed 
Dame  Alice,  because  he  had  heard  of  her  many  virtues.  She 
died  1349. 

Then  she  for  her  good  deeds  and  her  pure  life, 
And  for  the  power  of  ministration  in  her, 
And  likewise  for  the  high  rank  she  had  borne 
Was  chosen  Abbess  ;  there,  an  Abbess  lived, 
For  three  brief  years,  and  there  an  Abbess,  past 
To  where  beyond  these  voices  there  is  peace. 

Tennyson. 

when   Beatrice    de    Dene   was  appointed,  when  the   site  and 
local  possessions  were  three  carucates  in  Donington. 

William  de  Ercall  III.  gave  a  ninth  of  the  tithes  ofErcallto 
the  White  Nuns  of  Brewood,  and  land  near  his  Court  of  La 
More  on  which  to  make  a  weir.  J 

1535-6.  At  the  Dissolution,  besides  £6  i3s.  4d.  at  White 
Ladies,  there  were  rents  in  Notts,  Staffordshire,  and  Shrop- 
shire, at  Higley,  Chatwall,  Rudge,  Bold,  Sutton  Maddock, 
Ronton,  High  Ercal,  Berrington,  Shrewsbury,  Bridgnorth, 
Ingardine,  Tedstill,  Beckbury,  and  Humfreston,  and  the 
Advowsons  of  Muntford  (Salop),  and  Tydshull   (Derby),   and 

*  See  Notes  by  W.  Salt  Archasological  Society  Publications,  and  Eyton's  Antiquities. 
J  Shrop.  Trans. 


Rents  of  the  White  Nuns.  199 

a  pension  from  Bold  Chapel.  They  had  to  pay  a  chief  rent 
of  10/-  to  the  Lord  of  Donnington,  and  16/8  annual  fee  to 
Thomas  Giffard,  Esq.,  their  Seneschal  ;  a  salary  of  £$  for 
the  Chaplain,  appointed  by  the  Nuns,  to  pray  for  the  souls  of 
the  Founders. 

The  following  descriptive  letter  was  sent  me  by  Dr.  Knight, 
in  reply  to  my  enquiries : — 

Letter  irom  Francis  Whitgreave,  Esq.,  to  the  Right  Rev.  Dr.  Knight,  D.  D.f 
Roman  Catholic  Bishop  of  Shrewsbury. 

Burton  Manor,  near  Stafford, 

August  2-lth,  1886. 
My  Dear  Lord, — 

In  answer  to  your  kind  note  just  received,  enclosing  one  from  Mr.  George 
Griffiths  and  which  I  now  return,  I  am  sorry  tu  inform  you  tuat  but  little  is  known 
with  regard  to  the  Convent  of  White  Ladies,  near  Boscobel.  Wo  have,  perhaps, 
the  be«t  collection  of  books  aud  manuscripts  in  England  rtlating  to  any  Ci.unty,  at 
the  Salt  Library,  in  Stafford,  and  if  Mr.  Giiffiths,  on  his  n^xt  visit  to  Stafford, 
which  is  only  a  very  moderate  distance  from  what  I  presume  to  be  his  residence — 
Weston  Bank — will  call  there,  the  Librarian,  on  his  application,  will  show  him  all 
that  is  known  with  regard  to  the  Cistercian  Convent  in  question. 

Please  to  tell  him  to  ask  to  be  shown  a  .small  eograving  representing  "White 
Ladies  "  as  it  existed  in  the  time  of  Charles  II. 

A  half  timber  house,  with  a  curious  gate-house  of  the  same  materials,  existed 
at  that  time  attached  to  the  ruins,  which  were  then  in  much  the  same  state  as  they 
are  now  ;  ihe  Convent  itself  having  been  swept  away  and  only  a  portion  of  the 
Church  remaining.  Ihe  more  modern  hou»e  mentioned  was  the  residence  of  a 
younger  branch  of  the  Giffards's,  of  Chillii  gtun,  an  I  it  was  to  this  home  that 
Charles  was  hist  conducted  by  Gaptaiu  Gifford  aiter  having  ridden  with  him  and 
other  attendants  all  night  on  his  flight  from  Worcester. 

As  you  are  perhaps  aware,  the  house  has  now  entirely  disappeared,  leaving  only 
the  ruins  of  the  Church. 

The  property  of  the  Convent,  and  also  that  of  the  Benedictine  Nuns  at  Black 
Ladies,  was  grau ted  by  the  iufamous  Tyrant  who  suppressed  them  to  the  Gifford 
of  the  time.     Wh.te  Ladies  passed  by  marriage  to  the  Fitzherbert?. 

Black  Ladies  still  continues  the  property  of  the  Giffords. 

But  I  will  not  add  more,  as  you  and  Mr.  Griffiths  proba  ly  know  all  this. 

I  shall  be  much  obliged  to  >  our  Lords>hip  if  you  will  ask  Mr.  Griffiths  to  let  me 
know  where  his  "  Guide  to  Tong  Church  "  can  te  procured,  and  the  volue  of  the 


I  need  hardly  add  that  Mr.  Griffiths  will  find  ample  materials  relating  to 
Boxcobel  at  the  Salt  Library. --Believe  rue,  my  de^r  Lord,  yours  very  sincerely 
and  respectfully, 

(Sigmd)  Francis  Whitgreave. 

P.S.— The  house  which  now  exists  at  Black  Ladies  was  built  by  the  Giifords  in 
the  reign  of  James  I.  upon  the  foundations,  however,  in  part,  at  least,  of  the 
Beneiictive  Convent. 


200     Architectural  Features  of  White  Ladies  Abbey. 

The  Convent  ruins  were  described  in  1550,  as  in  the  Parish 
of  Tong,  but  they  now  are  in  Boscobel  extra-parochial  district 
in  Shropshire.  They  exhibit  some  Norman  features,  particu- 
larly a  circular-headed  doorway. 

It  is  a  cross  Church  without  aisles.  There  are  indications 
of  a  pent  roof  on  the  north  wall,  and  looking  into  the  cloister 
on  that  side  were  four  windows.  A  tiny  south  window  indi- 
cates the  centre  of  the  south  transept  ;  a  large  circular  one 
on  the  north,  the  north  transept,  while  three  more,  further 
east  are  in  the  north  Chancel  wall. 

The  caps  to  the  south  door  and  arch  of  the  north  transept 
are  beautiful  and  characteristic.  Generally,  there  are  indica- 
tions of  great  simplicity  and  much  refinement.  The  ancient 
vestment  in  Tong  Church  .(see  page  97;  is  believed  be  the 
work  of  the  Nuns  here  or  at  Black  Ladies.  Probably,  Neach- 
ley  was  the  Grange  of  the  Convent.  Is  it  possible  that  the 
Mill   at  Shackerley  was  the  Mill  of  this  Convent  ? 

In  1785  Mr.  Parkes  found  at  White  Ladies,  a  triple  head 
carved  in  stone,  and  at  seven  feet  deep  several  ancient  tiles, 
green,  yellow  and  red,  with  simple  designs  of  circles  and 
quatrefoils.  Within  the  ruins  are  some  old  monumental  slabs, 
commemorating  I  suppose  conventual  or  church  dignitaries, 
viz.  :  — 

One  a  cross  with  quatrefoil  and  circle  head,  a  cap  and  J.  T. 

One  a  sunk  quitrefoil  with,  circle  near  south  wall,  on  a  tapering  slab. 

One  on  a  similar  slab,  with  Latin  cross,  having  eich  limb  trefoiled,  and  a  cup  on 
the  right  side. 

One  a  circle  with  four  anchor-like  arrows  radiating  to  the  angles  of  the  square  at  the 
head  of  the  slab. 

Winifred  White's  tomb  is  still  here  ;  her  "  miraculous  " 
cure  of  permanent  lameness  was  attributed  to  the  healing 
virtues  of  her  namesake's  well  at  Holywell. 

The  site  consists,  I  believe,  of  two  acres  of  land,  at  present 
unfenced,  but  defined,  the  property  of  the  Fitzherbert  Family, 


White  Ladies,  from  the  S.e.  Corner  of  Ruins. 

(Photographed  by  G.G.,  1894.) 


UPRIGHT    SLABS  AT   WHITE  LADIES. 


White  Ladies  Abbey.  201 

and  the  records  are  kept  by  the  Rev.  Lewis  Groom,  Roman 
Catholic  priest  of  Brewood,  of  which  place  it  was  the  Roman 
Catholic  Cemetery  until  recently. 

In  recent  times,  comparatively,  the  spot  has  earned 
notoriety  as  the  burial  place  of  King  Charles  IPs  protectress, 
Dame  Joane  wife  of  William  Pendrell,  for  a  headstone,  seen 
there  in  1792 — and  a  copy  of  which  still  is  in  situ — bore  the 
following  inscription  : — 

Here  lyeth  The  bodie  of  a 
Friende  The  King  did  caLL  Dame  Joane, 
But  Now  Shee  is  Deceast  and  Gone. 
Interred  Anno  Do.  1669. 

Here  grew  the  yellow  saffron  or  autumn  crocus,  which  an 
old  herbalist  informs  me,  grew  at  Tung  and  all  Romish  places  ; 
and  here  still  grow  the  Myrrhis  Odorata,  a  relic  of  the  Nuns' 
herb  garden,  and  other  rare  plants. 

This  Nunnery  is  in  Shropshire,  and  that  of  the  Black 
Ladies  is  in  Staffordshire.  White  Ladies  was  the  more  im- 
portant of  the  two.  It  was  a  larger  establishment  than  that 
of  the  Benedictine  Nuns,  2  miles  distant. 

The  perplexities  of  an  Abbess  at  the  time  of  the  Dissolu- 
tion may  be  gathered  from  the  following  curious  letter  to 
Thomas  Cromwell,  afterwards  Earl  of  Essex,  and  as  it  may 
be  from  Margaret  Vernon  of  Tong  it  is  interesting : — 

A.D.  1535.  Margaret  Vernon  to  Secretary  Crowwell. 

After  all  dew  comnoendacyon*  hid  unto  yowre  good  maystershyp  with  my  most 
umble  tiankes  for  the  greate  coste  mayd  on  me  and  my  pore  maydyn  at  my  last 
beynga  with  yowre  miystershyp,  furthermore  plesyth  yt  yow  to  understonde  that 
yowre  vysytors  hath  bene  here  of  late,  who  hath  dyscharged  iij.  of  my  systers,  the 
one  ys  danae  Catheryn,  the  other  ij.  ys  the  yonge  women  that  were  last  professyd, 
whyche  ys  not  a  lyttll  to  my  dyscomforte  ;  nevertheless  I  must  be  content  with  the 
kynges  plesure. 

But  nowe  as  touchynge  my  nowne  parte,  I  must  humbly  besech  yow  to  be  so 
specyall  giod  miyster  uato  me  yowre  pore  bedawoman,  as  to  give  me  yowre  best- 
advertysmeat  and  counseyle  what  waye  shalbe  best  for  me  to  tike,  seynge  there 
shalbe  none  lift  here  bat  myselfe  and  thys  pore  rrradyn  ;  and  yf  yt  wyl  plese  yowre 
goolnes  to  take  thys  pore  howse  into  yowre  owne  honeys,  ether  for  yourself e,  er 
for  my  nowne  [maister]  yowre  sonne  ;  I  woylde  be  glad  with  fcll  my  hart  to  geve  jt 
AA 


202  Abbess  Margaret  and  her  pore  Madyn. 

into  yowre  maystershypes  hondes,  with  that  yewyll  commaunde  me  to  do  tberin 
Trustynge  and  nothynge  dowptynge  in  yowre  goodnes,  that  ye  wyll  so  provyd  for 
ns,  that  we  shall  have  syche  onest  lyvynge  that  we  shall  not  be  drevyn  he  necessyte 
nether  to  begge,  nor  to  fall  to  no  other  unconveuyence. 

And  thus  I  offer  my  selfe  and  all  myne  unto  your  most  hygh  and  prudeot  wys- 
dome,  as  unto  hym  that  ys  my  only  refuge  and  comfort  in  thys  world,  beschynge 
God  of  hys  holy  goodnes  to  put  in  yow  hys  holy  sprete,  that  ye  maye  do  all  thynge- 
to  hys  lawde  and  glory. 

By  yowre  own*  assured  bedewoman, 

Margaret    Vernon. 

Mr.  Thomas  Wright,  F.  S.A.,  says  he  had  not  ascertained 
of  what  Nunnery,  Margaret  Vernon,  the  writer  of  this  letter, 
was  Abbess.  There  was  a  Margaret  Vernon,  Abbess  of  West 
Mailing,  151 1,  daughter  of  Sir  Harry  Vernon  ;  probably  it  is 
the  same  person  (see  page  52). 

Mr.  Wright  adds  that  the  visitors,  by  putting  in  force  the 
injunctions  already  alluded  to,  seem  to  have  nearly  emptied 
the  house,  all  the  sisters  but  one  having  quitted  it  voluntarily 
or  by  force,  and  the  Abbess  herself  seems  to  have  been  not 
unwilling  to  follow  their  example. 

Here  is  another  curious  letter,  and  of  local  interest,  written 
about  the  same  period  as  the  one  from  Margaret  Vernon  : — 
John  Foster  to  Cromwell. 
[from  M.S.  Cotton  Cleop.  E.  IV.,  fol.  116.] 
In  my  moste  humblyst  wyse,  I  beyng  not  so  bold  as  to  appere  before  your  lord- 
schyp  untyll  your  plesure  is  knowyn,  feere  sett  aptartt,  nede  compellythe  me  to 
wrytt.  Thys  last  Lentt  I  dyd  no  lesse  then  wrytt,  and  also  to  your  presence  I  dyd 
approche,  suyng  for  your  lordschypps  gracyous  servyce ;  but  now  my  sute  ys 
muche  other,  for  my  dysfortune  hathe  byn  to  have  conceyvyd  untruly  Goddy* 
Wordo,  and  not  only  with  yntellectyon  to  have  thought  yt  but  externally  and 
really  I  have  fulfyllyd  the  same.  For  I  as  then  beyng  a  presste  have  accomple- 
shyd  maryage,  nothyng  pretendyng  but  as  an  obedyentt  subject ;  for  yf  the  kyngys 
grace  could  have  found  yt  laufull  that  prestys  myght  have  byn  maryd,  they  wold 
have  byn  to  the  crowne  dubbyll  and  dubby  11  faythefull ;  furste  yn  love,  scondly 
for  fere  that  the  byschoppe  of  Rome  schuld  sette  yn  hy*  powre  unto  tber  desolac- 
yon.  But  now  by  the  noyce  of  the  peopull  I  perseyve  I  have  dunne  amysce,  which 
saythe  that  the  kyngys  erudyte  yugement  with  all  his  cowncill  tenoperall 
and  spyrytual  hathe  stableschyd  a  contrary  order,  that  all  prestys  schalbe  separat 
by  a  day  ;  with  which  order  I  have  contentyd  my  selfe,  and  as  sone  as  I  horde  yt. 
to  bii  tru  I  sent  the  woman  to  her  frendys  iij  score  mylys  from  me  and  apedely 

t  From  Letters  relating  to  the  suppression  of  the  Monasteries  Camden  Society,— from 
M.S  Cotton  Oleop.,,  E.  IV.,  cap.  55. 


WHITE     LADIES. 
NORMAN    DOORWAY. 


from  the  "Gentleman's  Magazine,"  1809. 


The  Priest  and  his  Wife.  203 

and  with  all  celeryte  I  have  reaortyd  nether  to  desyre  the  Kynges  hyghtnes  of  hys 
favour  and  absolucyon  for  my  amysce  doyng,  prayng  and  besechyng  your  lord- 
schypps  gmcyous  cumfort  tor  the  optaynyng  of  hys  gracyou*  pardon,  and  I  schal 
be  your  bouuden  aervauntt  yn  hartt  and  also  yn  contynual  servyce,  yf  yt  schall 
please  your  gracyoua  lordschypp  to  accept  yt,  duryng  my  lyfe* 

Wryttya  the  xviij  day  of  June. 

Youre  bounden  for  ever, 

John  Foster. 

Cromwell  was  the  son  of  a  blacksmith  ;  some  time  after 
being  a  clerk  in  an  Antwerp  factory,  he  was  taken  into  the 
service  of  Cardinal  Wolsey,  and  on  the  fall  of  the  Cardinal 
became  chief  adviser  to  Henry  VIII.  He  was  instrumental 
in  the  dissolution  of  the  Monasteries,  and  was  created  Earl  of 
Essex,  but  for  having  advised  the  King's  marriage  with  Ann 
of  Cleves,  he  was  accused  of  treason  and  heresy,  and  exe- 
cuted on  Tower  Hill,  1540. 

At  White  Ladies  Lord  Derby  committed  the  King  to  the 
care  of  the  Pendrill's,  having  ridden  26  miles.  Of  Richard 
Penderel's  Mill,  itself,  at  White  Ladies,  if  it  were  there,  no  trace 
can  be  found.  Near  the  Abbey  were  found  an  old  hollowed 
piece  of  oak,  and  an  ancient  water  pipe,  and  traces  of  a  pool 
were  visible  nearer  the  brook.  George  Penderel  was  servant  at 
White  Ladies,  and  opened  the  door  for  the  King,  who  had 
hardly  arrived  before  he  was  advised  to  go  into  the  Woods. 
One  of  the  Pendereis,  William  was  a  farmer  at  Hubbal  Grange, 
Richard,  or  "  Trusty  Dick,"  a  retainer  at  Boscobel  House  and 
two  had  lately  fallen  in  the  Civil  War. 

Mrs.  Yates  of  the  Wood  was  a  sister  of  Richard  Penderel's 
wife.  She  lent  the  King  a  blanket,  provided  eggs,  milk, 
butter,  &c. 

At  the  time  of  the  Reformation,  Sir  John  Giffard  who  lived  at 
Chillington,  and  was  one  of  the  Commissioners  for  the  seques- 
tration of  Church  property,  received  for  his  own  part  the 
property  of  Black  Ladies  at  Brewood;  His  grandson  Edward 
was  seated  at  the  White  Ladies,  another  sequestrated  religious, 
house.       Edward's  grandson  Peter  was  an  active  partizan  for 


204  The  Giffard  Family — Hubbal  Grange. 

the  King  during  the  Civil  War,  and  it  was  his  nephew  Charles 
who  attended  on  that  Monarch  at  BoscobeL* 

Dame  Margaret  Stamford  was  Prioress  at  the  Dissolution, 
and  she  had  £$  allowed  her  yearly  out  of  the  Revenues 
£17  10s.  8d.,  and  the  other  Ladies  in  proportion.  Henry 
VIII.  gave  it  to  Sir  Thomas  Giffard,  10th  Lord,  1560,  who 
was  Bailiff  and  Keeper  of  the  Bishop's  Park,  and  Seneschal 
of  the  Priory  of  St.  Leonard's.  He  was  High  Sheriff  and 
a  Royal  Commissioner  to  obtain  inventories  of  Church 
Revenues,  1552.  Doubtless  his  loyal  descendant  the  Squire 
of  Chillington  could  throw  much  light  upon  the  history.  It 
passed  through  females  to  the  Fitzherberts,  of  Swynnerton, 
who  still  own  the  ruins,  and  a  right  of  way  thereto. 
The  Skeffingtons  lived  here  in  the  16th  century,  and  there 
exist  3  tablets  with  exceedingly  quaint  lines  to  their  memory, 
two  (to  William  Skeffington  and  his  mother)  in  Tong  Church 
(Nos.  28  and  29),  and  one  to  his  wife  Jone  in  Brewood  Church, 
and  some  account  of  that  family  is  given  on  page  88. 

Hubbal  Grange  is  a  little  old  brick  and  timber 
homestead  in  Tong  Parish,  on  the  side  of  the  Green  Lane 
from  Tong  to  White  Oak.  (See  illustration.)  In  Hartshorne's 
Salopia  Antigua,  a  suggestion  is  made  as  to  the  derivation  of 
this  place's  peculiar  name.  "  Brompton,  in  his  Chronicle,  speaks 
of  Hubbelow,  or  Hubba's  Grave,  and  there  is  scarcely  a  place 
in  England  where  there  is  not  some  spot  thus  nominally  con- 
secrated by  a  Briton's  or  a  Saxon's  grave,  low  meaning  a 
tumulus,  or  grave.  To  the  present  day  the  first  syllable  indi- 
cates the  name  of  the  person  so  interred.  In  an  old  Chronicle 
cited  by  Hearne,  speaking  of  Hubba,  the  writer  says  :  And 
when  the  Danes  fond  Hungar  and  Hubba  died,  thei  bared 
theym  to  a  mountain  ther  besyde,  and  made  upon  him  a  logge, 
and  lete  call  it  Hubbslugh.'"  Samuel  Hubball,  a  local  tailor, 
says  his  family  came  from  Hubbal. 

*Neicport  Advertiser  on  the  death  of  Mr.  W.  P.  Giffard  in  1877. 


BLACK     LADIES. 

LACK  Ladies  in  Staffordshire,  was  a  Convent  of 
Benedictine  Nuns  dedicated  to  the  Virgin  Mary, 
and  so-called  from  their  black  habits,  the  Nunnery 
being  three  miles  from  White  Ladies.  It  was 
valued  at  the  Dissolution  at  ^"17  10s.  8d.  (or  £\\  is.  6d.) 
per  annum,  and  was  styled  the  Convent  of  Brewood.  It 
only  had  six  religious  persons  in  it  at  the  dissolution.  One 
seal  of  the  House  bore  : — s.  convent  s.  marie  nigrar  d'narvm, 
and  another,  if  we  may  believe  Bagshaw  : — sigillum  commune 
nigrarum  monalium  d'bre.  This  second  seal  is  thus  described 
in  the  Brit.  Mus.  Catalogue  : — A  pointed  oval,  the  Virgin, 
seated  in  a  canopied  niche  on  the  left  arm  the  Child  with 
cruciform  nimbus,  in  the  right  hand  a  sceptre  fleur  de  lize. 

Henry  II.  founded  Black  Ladies,  and  in  31  Hen.  VII.,  it 
was  conveyed  to  Wm.  Whorwood. 

King  John,  1199 — 1200,  bestowed  the  year's  rent  of*  Brom, 
i\  merks  on  the  Nuns  of  Brewood — probably  when  he  visited 
it,  as  he  did  also  and  in  1204,  when  he  gave  it  a  Charter.  In 
1203-4  ne  gave  Brewood  Nunnery  and  five  others  an  almoign 
of  two  merks  each. 

Isabel,  Prioress  of  the  Black  Nuns  at  Brewood,  granted 
lands  at  Brewood  to  Bishop  Roger  Meyland.  Bishop  elected 
1265. f  T283,  a  Papal  Bull  addressed  through  the  Bishop  to 
the  Black  Nuns  of  Brewood. 

Staff. — Clement  de  "Wolvernekampton,  Clerk,  sued  Alice,  Prioress  of  the  Black 
Nuns  of  Brewode,  Robert  de  Stafford,  and  Robert  atte  Hyrst,  for  taking  by  forc« 


Staff.  Archaaol.  Vol.  II. 


♦  Staff.  Archaeol.  Trans.  Vol.  VI. 


2o6  Inventory  of  the  Nunnery. 

two  oxen  belonging  to  him  at  Horsebrok,  worth  40s.  The  defendants  did  not 
appear,  and  the  Prioress  was  attached  by  Ralph  le  Messager  and  another,  and  the 
others  could  not  be  found.  The  Sheriff  was  therefore  ordered  to  distrain  the 
Prioress  and  to  arrest  the  others,  aud  produce  them  at  the  Octaves  of  St.  John  the 
Baptist,     m  38. 

Staff. — Clement  of  Wolvernehampton,  Clerk,  sued  Alice  the  Prioress  of  the 
Black  Nuns  of  Brewode,  and  Robert  atte  Hyrst  and  another  for  forcibly  breaking 
into  his  hou.se  at  Horsebrok,  and  taking  his  goods  and  chattels  to  the  value  of 
100s.  The  defendants  did  not  appear,  and  the  Sheriff  had  been  ordered  to  distrain, 
and  he  now  returned  10s.  distrained  from  the  chattels  of  Alice.  He  was  therefore 
ordered  as  before  to  distrain  and  produce  the  defendants  at  the  Quindene  of  St. 
Michael,    m.  138. 

1394. — Petronilla,  Prioress  of  the  Black  Nuns  of  Brewode  and  the  Convent  there, 
acknowledges  £100  at  the  hands  of  Thomas  lech  (de  Newport,  of  High  Ercall,  Esq. , 
who  married  Isabel,  sister  of  Sir  Adam  de  Peshali,  Kt.  of  Weston)  to  pray  for  the 
soul  of  Thomas  de  Brumpton,  Isabel's  first  husband,  formerly  Lord  of  Eyton,  and 
the  souls  of  all  his  ancestors  ;  dated  in  their  Chapel  at  Brewode  on  Tuesday'  in  the 
Feast  of  St.  Michael  the  Archangel,  18  Rich.  II. — Thomas  de  Brnmpton  died  1382 
Isabel  was  dead  1438. 

Brewood  Nunnery  ex  Dugdale's  Monasticon  ;    but  whether 
relating  to  White  Ladies  or  Black  Ladies,  I  cannot  tell : — 

The  Church,  the  Vestrye,  the  Chapter  Ho.,  Bells  in  Stepull  (iii.),  the  Hale,  the 
Parlore  (includes  i  Folding  Tabull,  the  Forme,  the  Chayre,  the  Cuborde,  and  the 
Hangings  of  the  Payntyd  Cloth).  The  Chaffe  Chamber,  the  Baylyflfs  Chamb. 
the  Keichyn,  the  Larder,  Brewhouse,  Kelyng  House,  Boylyng  Ho.,  Cheslofte, 
Kylhouse,  Grayne  (1  qart  of  whete  6s.,  2  qt.  of  munke  corn  8s.,  1  qt.  of  oats  xxd., 
1  qt  pese  2s.  8d.)  Catell  (1  horse  4s.)  Waynes  (1  wayne  and  1  dmngcart)  Heye 
xvs.  Plate  (1  chales  and  4  sponys). 
Given  to  Abbess  and  Convent  ther  at  ye  deptun. 

First  to  Isabell  Launder        xls. 

It  to  Christabell  Smith  xxs. 

Alin  Beche  ,        ...       xxs. 

Felix  Baggshawe  xxs. 

Rewards  gyvene  to  the  Sarvente  ther  at  ther  lyke  deportun. 

It.  to  Wm.  Pker  chapelon         ...        xxxs. 

Robt.  Baker  xiii.        ivd. 


Margt.  Burre 
Thos.  Bold 
Wm.  Morre 
Thos.  Smith 
Kateryn  Alate 
Php.  Duffelde 
Owing  by  Bailiff  of  Tonge  iis.  rent. 

Churchwarden  of  Brewood  iijd. 


u. 
iii. 

ii. 

x. 
xiii. 
iiii. 


Demolition  at  the  Disolution.  207 

There  were  Roman  Catholic  Chapels  at  Long  Birch  and 
Black  Ladies  in  1834,  the  Rev.  R.  Hubbard  being  priest  at  the 
former,  and  the  Rev.  John  Roe,  assisted  by  the  Rev.  Henry- 
Richmond,  incumbent  of  Black  Ladies.  Services  were 
discontinued  in  1840. 

Here  in  1834  one  report  says,  "  The  choir  for  these  latter 
nuns,  that  for  lay  sisters,  the  images  on  the  altar, 
&c,  are  in  the  same  condition  they  were  left  in  at  the 
dissolution."  Where  are  these  now  ?  It  is  strange  how  they 
escaped  so  long  when  we  find  other  Commissioners'  reports 
tell  how  the  contents  of  various  Religious  Houses  in  Lincoln- 
shire were  disposed  of  as  mentioned  below,  the  sacred  objects 
having  to  be  deliberately  put  "  to  profane  use,"  as  the  report 
quaintly  expresses  it. 

1566  Images  of  Rood,  Mary,  and  John,  burned  III  Eliz. 

1666  Itm.  all  mas  bokes  and  all  bookes  of  papistrie  tome  in  pees,  and  sold  to. 

pedlars  to  lap  spice  in. 

Itm.  one  handbell  broken,  the  start  of  it  sold  to  J.  C.  and  he  hath  made- 

a  morter  of  y  t. 

Itm,  one  crewett  cruste  in  peces  and  soli  to  plumer  for  sawdar. 

Itm.   copes  ve^tnents  amisse,  towelles,  one  vaille   sold  to  Johnnie  ffoster 

and  George  verna'  1565  and  they  have  defaced  same. 

Itm.  all  brassen  things  sold  and  George  Verna' haith  sold  them  to  a  pewterer 

of  Lincoln. 

Itm.  crosse  cloth,  banner  clothes,  one  cannabie,  one  veal,  one  crewitt,  one- 

sacring  bell,  one  paire  of  scissors,  and  one  hally  water  ffatt  wee  know  not 

what  was  done  wt  theim  and  that  wee  will  depose  upon  a  book. 

Itm.  iiij  altar  stones  Remayneth  vnbroken  but  at  or  retorne  wee  will  put  it 

{sic)  to  pfane  use. 

Itm.   candlesticks,  &c,  which   we  have  to  make   awaie  and  breake  afore- 

Easter  nexte  ;  one  sacring  bell,  Will  Eland  had  and  hong  it  by  his  horse  eare 

a  long  tyme  and  now  yt  is  broken. 

Itm.  a  pix  d^facid  and  made  a  salt  cellar  for  saltv 

Itm.  a  roodloft  sold  to  Langlands  who  haithe  mad>  a  bridge  for  his  sheep  t& 

go  over  into  his  pasture. 

Jtm.  altar  stone  Pennell  made  a  fyreherth  of  it  in  his  hall. 

To  Robt.  Bellameeij  corporax'  whof  bis  wief  made  of  one  a  stomacher  for  her 

wench  and  of  thother  being  ript  she  will  make  a  purse,  the  covering  of  the 

pix  sold  to  John  Storr  and  his  wief  oceupieth  yt  in  wiping  her  eies. 

I  visited  Black  Ladies  in  1881  when  thert  seemed  scarcely  to 
be  a  vestige  left  of  the  ancient  nunnery ;  yet  the  place  has  an 


208  Black  Ladies. 

old  world  look.  A  rather  bold  head,  carved  in  stone,  is  set  in 
the  chimney  stack  in  the  attics.  The  Chapel  between  the  pool 
and  the  stackyard  is  now  used  as  stabling  ;  in  one  wall  is  a 
stone  cross,  perpendicular,  let  into  the  wall.  It  was  disused  as 
a  chapel  in  1844.  Small  and  poor  though  this  chapel  was,  it 
seems  to  have  at  one  time  possessed  among  other  vestments, 
"  a  beautiful  cope  of  crimson  velvet."  Is  this  the  one  now  at 
Tong? 

The  late  Mr.  Hicka-Smith  wrote  a  little  account  of  Brewood, 
with  notices  of  these  nunneries,  and  the  letteis  from  Mr.  W. 
Parkesto  him  on  the  subject,  which  I  have  recently  purchased, 
are  full  of  interest.  There  are  pictures  of  Black  Ladies  and 
White  Ladies  in  the  Salt  Library,  Stafford.  In  the  Gentle- 
man's Magazine  the  White  Ladies'  Abbey  is  shewn  as  being 
used  for  a  cart  shed,  and  drawn,  I  think,  by  Mr.  Parkes  ;  of  him 
and  another  correspondent  in  that  old  magazine,  the  inimit- 
able Tom  Hood  makes  sorry  jest; — 

B  asks  of  C  if  Milton  ere  did  write 

"  Comu»"  obscured  beneath  some  Ludlow  lid, 
And  C  next  month,  an  answer  doth  indite, 

Informing  B  that  Mr.  Milton  did  ! 

X  sends  a  portrait  of  a  genuine  flea, 

Caught  upon  Martin  Luther  years  agone, 
And  Mr.  Parkes  of  Shrewsbury,  draws  a  beer 

Long  dead,  that  gathered  honey  for  King  John. 

If  time  and  space  permitted  there  are  many  more  notes, 
including  some  on  the  patronage  of  the  Church  of  Montford, 
which  could  be  added,  throwing  light  on  and  relating  to  these 
Nunneries,  but  these  and  many  other  interesting  notes  must 
be  omitted,  as  the  limit  of  pages  is  reached,  and  I  now  con- 
clude a  work  which  has  been  full  of  interest  to  write,  and  will, 
I  trust,  be  perused  and  accepted  by  an  indulgent  public  as  a 
volume  which  aims  at  being  nothing  more  than  an  earnest 
attempt  to  contribute  an  humble  page  to  the  glowing,  records 
of  my  native  County, 


Addenda  as  to  the  Nunneries.  209 

Mr.  Eyton,  in  his  "  Antiquities  of  Shropshire,"  tells  us  that 
the  Advowson  of  Montford  had  passed  to  the  White  Nuns  of 
Brewood  in  the  13th  century  ;  but  whether  by  grant  of  a 
Lacy  or  a  Fitz-Alan  he  cannot  learn.  They  had  the  appro- 
priation of  the  Rectory  soon  after  1291.  In  134 1  the  Assessors 
quoted  diminished  revenues  of  Montford,  and  therefore  of  the 
Nunnery,  because  there  had  been  a  murrain  among  the  sheep, 
and  a  Severn  flood  had  destroyed  most  of  the  growing  corn. 

In  1535  the  Nuns'  Ferm  at  Montford  produced  £8  per 
annum,  but  10s.  pension  they  had  to  pay  out  of  it  to  the  Prior 
at  St.  Guthlac  at  Hereford.  The  Priory  and  Convent  of  the 
White  Nuns  of  Brewood  presented  the  following  Vicars — Sir 
R.  de  Audla,  d.  1331 ;  W.  de  Redenhull,  d.  1342;  Richd. 
Morys,  d.  of  the  pestilence  1349;  Robert  de  Wythington, 
1349  ;  Sir  John  de  Brehull,  1373  ;  and  others,  the  concluding 
name  being  Sir  Richard  Hamon,  141 8. 

The  following  extract  from  "  Forest  Pleas,"  14  Edward  I.. 
jStafford,  relates  to  the  Nuns  of  Brewood  : — 

"  It  was  presented  by  the  reguardors  of  Cannock  that  when 
the  huntsmen  of  the  Lord  the  King  were  hunting  in  the  said 
Forest,  in  the  Bailiwick  of  Gauley  [Gailey] ,  in  the  fourth 
year  of  the  present  reign,  they  put  up  a  stag  with  their  dogs, 
and  followed  it  as  far  as  the  Park  of  Brewood,  and  into  the 
Wood  there,  and  that  John  de  la  Wytemore  came  up  with  a 
bow  and  arrows  and  shot  at  it ;  that  it  fled  out  of  the  Forest 
as  far  as  the  Vineyard  of  the  Nuns  of  Brewood,  and  the  afore- 
said John  followed  it,  and  drew  it  out  dead  from  the  said 
Vineyard.  And  thereupon  came  up  John  Giffard,  of 
Chylyngton,  saying  he  had  followed  the  same  stag,  and 
claimed  it ;  so  that  after  they  had  skinned  it  together,  the 
same  John  Giffard  took  half  of  it  with  him,  and  carried  it  to 
his  house  without  warrant,  and  the  other  half  the  Nuns  of 
Brewood  had  ;  and  because  they  are  poor,  let  the  same  be 
pardoned  to  them  for  the  soul  of  the  King.       And   notwith- 

+Ex.  J.  Hicks-Smith's  "  History  ot  Brewood." 
BB 


210  Addenda  as  to  the  Nunneries. 

standing  the  same  stag  was  captured  outside  the  Forest,  yet 
was  it  the  chase  of  the  Lord  the  King,  being  put  up  by  his 
dogs  within  his  Forest,  &c.  It  is,  therefore,  ordered  to  the 
Sheriff  to  produce  the  aforesaid  John  and  John.  They  were 
fined,  the  sureties  being  Will  Fitzmargery  and  Adam  of  the 
Gate." 

A  Convention  is  mentioned  by  Mr.  Hicks- Smith,  without 
date,  between  the  Prioress  and  Nuns  of  Browde  and  the  Lady 
Ysabel  of  Patingham,  by  which  "  the  said  Nuns  released  to 
"  Ysabel  all  their  right  in  half  a  virgate  of  land  in  Pattingham 
• ( of  the  demesne  of  the  said  vill,  and  which  they  held  in  free  alms 
"of  the  gift  of  Ralph  Bassed,  and  for  which  the  said  Ysabel 
"  released  to  the  same  Nuns  an  assart  in  Chylintun. 
"Witnesses,  the  lord  Ralph  Abbot  of  Lylleshull,  Ralph 
"  Bassed  the  younger  and  Richard  his  brother,  Ralph  de 
"  Perton,  William  de  Wrotesle,  and  Yva  de  la  Yde." 

It  may  be  that  Lady  Isabel's  Well,  on  the  road  near 
Boscobel,  mentioned  on  page  140,  is  named  after  this  lady. 

Here  is  another  Grant,  given  by  Mr.  Hicks-Smith,  but 
from  what  source  is  not  said,  relating  to  Brewood  Nunnery. 

"  A  grant  by  Margery,  formerly  daughter  of  Ralph  de 
Coven,  to  the  Black  Nuns  of  Brewde,  of  16  pence  rent  in  the 
vill  of  Horsebroc,  from  the  heirs  of  Richard  Bromhale. 
Witnesses,  Richard  de  Stretton,  Kt.,  Hugh  de  Weston,  Hugh 
de  Bolinghale,  William  Giffard,  Robert  de  Somerford,  John 
de  Sempiham,  Walter  [serviente]  Peter  de  Brewode,  and 
W.  D.  Bromhall."     It  is  without  date. 

Brewood  means  frightful  wood,  and  the  lane  near  Kidder- 
more  Green,  which  is  on  the  way  for  Black  Ladies  Nunnery, 
was  called  Spirit  Lane.  There  were  two  healing  wells  in 
Brewood  parish,  one  of  which  was,  I  think,  in  the  fields, 
adjoining  Black  Ladies  at  Stinking  Lake,  near  the  Watling 
Street  road  ;  was  the  other  the  Leper  Well,  in  the  direction 
of  Codsall,  just  outside  the  Chillington  Woods  ? 

A  view  of  the  present  interesting  domestic  structure,  known 
as  Black  Ladies,  now  used  as  a  farmhouse,  is  given. 


DEEDS     RELATING     TO    TONG,     &c. 

§T  should  be  premised  that  I  have  obtained  these  ancient 
Charters  chiefly  from  the  British  Museum,  from  time  to 
time,  and  the  principal  ones  of  them  have  been  trans- 
lated by  Mr.  Walter  de  Gray  Birch,  F.R.S.L.,  author  of 
"  Vita  Haroldi  "  or  the  "  Romance  of  King*  Harold,"  the 
"  History  of  the  Utrecht  Psalter,"  the  "  Heads  of  Religious 
Houses  in  England,"  and  many  other  works.  Two  of  the 
Charters  with  seals  were  transcribed  by  Mr.  R.  Sims,  author 
of  the  Handbook  of  the  Library  of  the  British  Museum.  I  am 
aware  that  antiquarians  generally  like  old  documents,  such  as 
these  printed  in  the  Norman-French  or  Latin,  as  the  case  may 
be  ;  but  making  a  choice  of  difficulties  I  have  thought  it  best 
to  give  them  in  English  only,  hoping  that  Mr.  Birch's  trans- 
lations will  satisfy  the  most  exacting  readers,  and  not  forgetting 
that  there  is  a  growing  number  of  students  of  antiquity,  who, 
charmed  by  the  subject,  have  regretfully  to  confess  to  a  similar 
situation  to  that  expressed  in  the  "  Shipmannes  Prologue  "  in 
Chaucer's  "  Canterbury  Tales  "  : — 

My  joly  body  shal  a  tale  telle 

And  I  shal  clinken  you  so  mery  a  belle, 

That  I  shal  waken  all  this  compagnie : 

But  it  shal  not  ben  01  philosophic, 

Ne  of  physike  ne  termes  quiente  in  lawe : 

Ther  is  but  litel  Latin  in  my  mawe 


Grant   in   Norman  French  by  Fouke  of  Pennebruge,  Lord 
ofTonge,  to  William,  son  of  William  de  Pres,  1323. 

To  all  the  lawful  ones  in   God  who  shall   see  or  hear  this  present  writing  Fouke  de 
Penebrugge  (a)  Lord  of  Tonge  greeting  in  God.    Know  ye  that  I  have  given  and  granted  and 


(a)  Probably  Fulco  de  Pembruge  II.,  Lord  of  Tonge,  died  1326. 


212  Deeds  Relating  to   Tong. 

by  this  present  writing  confirmed  to  William  son  of  William  de  Pres  and  to  his 
heirs  of  his  body  lawfully  begotten  one  acre  of  land  in  the  town  of  Nortone  (b)  within  my 
Manor  of  Tonge  lying  within  the  field  which  is  called  the  Watecroft  (c),  between  the  land  of 
Harlewyne  on  the  one  side  and  the  land  of  the  aforesaid  William  on  the  other  side.  And  if 
the  aforesaid  William  die  without  heirs  of  his  body  lawfully  begotten,  then  I  will  that  the 
aforesaid  acre  of  land  remain  to  Kichard  son  of  Richard  Haligode  of  Schuffunhale  [lAi 
Shifnal]  and  to  the  heirs  of  his  body  lawfully  begotten,  and  if  the  aforesaid  Richard  die 
without  heir  of  his  body  lawfully  begotten,  then  I  will  that  the  aforesaid  acre  of  land 
remain  to  Alice  sister  of  the  said  Richard  and  to  the  heirs  of  her  body  lawfully  begotten. 
And  if  the  aforesaid  Alice  die  without  heir  of  her  body  lawfully  begotten,  then  [I  will  that] 
the  aforesaid  acre  of  land  remain  to  Gralan  brother  of  the  aforesaid  William  and  to  the 
heirs  of  bis  body  lawfully  begotten.  And  if  the  said  Gralan  die  without  heir  of  his  body 
lawfully  begotten  then  [that]  the  aforesaid  acre  of  land  remain  to  Ralph  brother  of  the 
said  Gralan  and  to  the  heirs  of  his  body  lawfully  begotten.  And  if  the  said  Ralph  die 
without  heir  of  his  body  lawfully  begotten,  then  I  will  that  the  aforesaid  acre  of  land  with  its 
appurtenances  revert  to  me  the  aforesaid  Fouke  and  to  my  heirs  or  to  my  assigns.  To  have 
and  to  hold  all  the  aforesaid  acre  of  land  with  its  appurtenances  easements  and 
approachments  inclosed  (?)  and  in  defence  each  hour  of  the  year,  of  me  and  of  my  heirs  or  of 
my  assigns,  to  the  aforesaid  William,  Richard,  Alice,  Gralan,  Ralph,  and  to  their  heirs  of 
their  bodies  lawfully  begotten  in  form  above-mentioned,  freely,  quietly,  well,  and  in  peace,  for 
ever,  yielding  therefor  yearly  to  me  and  to  my  heirs  or  to  my  assigns  fifteen  pence  sterling  at 
the  two  terms  of  the  year  usual,  by  equal  portions,  and  two  appearances  at  my  Court  of 
Tonge,  for  all  manner  of  other  secular  services,  exactions,  customs  or  demands.  And  I 
the  aforesaid  Fouke  and  my  heirs  will  warrant  and  defend  all  the  aforesaid  acre  of  land  with 
its  appurtenances  aforesaid  to  the  aforesaid  William,  Richard.  Alice,  Gralan,  Ralph,  and  to 
their  heirs  of  their  bodies  lawfully  begotten  according  to  the  form  above-mentioned,  against 
all  mortal  persons  for  ever.  In  witness  whereof  I  have  set  my  seal  to  this  present  writing. 
By  these  witnesses  John  the  Ward  of  Tonge  (d),  John  the  Parker  (e),  William  de  Hethul  (/), 
Nichol  the  Tailor,  Robert  Lefevre  [the  smith]  (g),  and  others.  Given  at  Tonge,  on  Sunday 
next  before  the  feast  of  St.  Barnabas  the  Apostle,  in  the  sixteenth  year  of  the  reign  of  King 
Edward  son  of  King  Edward.    [A.D.  1323.] 


Grant  in  Norman  French  by  Fouke  of  Pennebrugge,  JLord 
of  Tonge,  to  John  the  Parker,  of  Tonge,  and  Cecilia  his  wife, 
probably  about  the  same  date  as  preceding.  Many  of  the 
earliest  deeds  are  undated. 

Know  all  men  who  are  and  who  are  to  come,  that  I  Fauke  of  Penebrugge.  Lord  of  Tonge« 
have  given  and  granted,  and  by  this  present  writing  confirmed  to  John  the  Parker  of  Tonge 
and  to  Cecilia  his  wife,  all  the  land  which  John  Brid  lately  held  in  the  manor  of  Tonge 
excepting  the  Messiage  with  the  curtilage,  that  is  to  say,  that  three  acres  lie  in  holieffeld, 
and  one  acre  lies  on  the  mill  hul,  and  one  acre  lies  in  the  hullefeld,  and  a  "  place"  in  Cole- 
winescroft  between  the  land  of  William  atte  Wode  (h)  of  Ampart,  and  an  assart  atte  Ivy 
hattes  between  the  highway  and  the  land  of  Thomas  de  la  Hulle,  and  an  assart  Brery hurst  \(i) 
between  Matheus  Mor  and  the  land  of  Thomas  de  la  Hulle. 

I  have  also  given  and  granted  to  the  aforesaid  John  and  to  Cecilia  his  wife  three  acres  of 
land  in  the  lyhte  outside  the  Town  of  Tonge,  that  is  to  say,  lying  between  the  fields  called 
presteleye  (j)  on  the  one  side  and  the  way  leading  towards  Brewood  from  Tonge  on  the  other 
Bide. 

I  have  also  given  and  granted  to  the  aforesaid  John  and  Cecilia  his  wife  a  "  place  "  of  land 
containing  six  acres  in  the  hyewood,  that  is  to  say  lying  along  the  highway  near  the  assart 
of  Thomas  de  la  Hulle  towards  the  highway  near  the  assart  of  Edith  Rogers  enclosed  between 
the  land  of  William  Robyns  on  the  one  side  and  my  demesne  land  on  the  other  side. 

To  have  and  to  hold  all  the  aforesaid  land  of  me  and  of  my  heirs  to  the  aforesaid  John  and 
Cecilia  his  wife  for  the  term  of  their  lives,  and  after  their  decease  I  will  aud  grant  for  me  and 

(6)  Tong  Norton. 

ic)  Is  this  the  Water-croft,  or  wet-croft,  or  wheat-croft  ? 

(d)  Le  Ward,  the  Warden,  or  one  who  takes  care  of.  The  same  name  occurs  on  the  old 
Blab  mentioned  on  page  28. 

(e)  Or  park-keeper,  a  name  still  lingering  in  Tong  Parish. 
(/)  Heathill  in  Sheriff  hales. 

(cr)  The  smith  or  blacksmith,  the  forgeman. 

(h)  Is  this  The  Wood,  now  Mr.  F.  W.  Yates's?  An  assart  is  part  of  the  forest  cleared  of 
wood. 

(j)  Briery  Hurst,  mentioned  on  page  140. 
(J)  Priest-ley  or  pasture. 


Deeds  Relating  to  Tong,  213 

for  my  heirs  that  all  the  aforesaid  land  revert  to  John  their  son  and  to  the  heirs  of  his  body 
lawfully  begotten. 

And  if  the  aforesaid  John  [die]  without  heir  of  his  body  lawfully  begotten  alive  all  the 
aforesaid  land  shall  return  to  Oliver  his  brother  and  to  the  heirs  of  his  body  lawfully 
begotten. 

And  if  the  said  Oliver  [die]  without  heir  of  his  body  lawfully  begotten  alive  all  the  afore- 
said land  shall  return  to  Avore  his  sister  and  to  the  heirs  of  her  body  lawfully  begotten. 

And  if  the  said  Avore  die  without  heir  of  her  body  lawfully  begotten  all  the  aforesaid  land 
shall  return  to  Amice  his  sister  and  to  the  heirs  of  her  bodv  lawfully  begotten. 

And  if  the  said  Amice  die  without  heirs  of  her  body  lawfully  begotten  all  the  aforesaid  land 
shall  return  to  Edith  her  sister  and  to  the  heirs  of  her  body  lawfully  begotten. 

And  if  it  siiall  by  chance  happen  that  the  said  Edith  [die]  without  heir  of  her  body  law- 
fully begotten  alive  all  the  aforesaid  land  shall  return  to  me  the  aforesaid  Fouke,  and  to  my 
heirs  without  any  contradiction. 

Yielding  therefor  yearly  to  me  and  to  my  heirs  and  to  my  assigns  thirteen  shillings  and 
ninepence  sterling  at  the  terms  of  the  year  usual  in  the  town  of  Tong,  and  making  two 
appearances  at  my  Court  of  Tonge  far  all  other  services,  exactions  and  demands. 

And  I  the  aforesaid  Fouke  and  my  heirs  and  my  assigns  will  warrant  acquit  and  defend  all 
the  aforesaid  laud  to  the  aforesaid  John  Cecilia,  John,  Oliver,  Avore,  Amice,  and  Edith  and 
to'their  heirs  of  their  bodies  lawfully  begotten  in  the  form  aforesaid  against  all.  people  for 
ever. 

In  witness  whereof  as  well  the  aforesaid  John  on  the  one  part  as  I  the  aforesaid  Fouke  by 
the  other  part,  to  this  present  writing  indented  and  partite  among  us,  have  put  our  seals  on 
these  witnesses : 

Hugh  de  Beaumes  (d) 
Roger  de  Pulesdone 
William  de  Preez 
John  le  Warde 
Roger  Hadham  and  others. 

Seal.    A  shield  of  arms ;    Barry  of  six,  between  two  wyverns. 

DE  .  PENBRIGG 

A  similar  seal  was  in  the  Shrewsbury  Museum  of  the  Shropshire  Archaeological  Society 
before  its  removal  to  the  Corporation  Museum,  but  cannot  now  be  found. 


Receipt  in  Latin  by  Robert  de  Penbrugge,  Lord  of  Tonge 
to  William  le  Harpour,  1351. 

Let  it  be  manifest  to  all  by  these  presents  that  we  Robert  de  Pennebrugge  (a),  Lord  of 
Tonge,  have  received  by  the  hands  of  William  le  Harpour  all  the  moneys  due  to  us  for  ward 
and  marriage  of  all  the  lands  and  tenements  formerly  belonging  to  John  le  Ward  (the 
Warden)  of  the  said  Town  of  Tonge.  Whereof  we  confess  that  we  are  fully  paid  and  the 
said  William  quit  and  absolved.  In  witness  whereof  our  seal  has  been  appended  to  these 
presents.  Given  at  the  Castle  of  Tonge.  on  Thursday  next  before  Palm  Sunday  in  the 
twenty-fifth  year  of  the  reign  of  King  Edward  the  Third  after  the  Conquest.     [A.D.  1351.] 

(a)  Robert  de  Pennebrugge  being  described  as  Lord  of  Tonge,  sets  at  rest  the  doubt  of  Mr. 
Eyton  in  his  Antiquities  */  Shropshire,  as  to  whether  he  was  ever  owner  of  Tong,  see  page  12 

Seal,  a  shield  of  arms  in  tracery  as  before  :  SIGrILL 


Indenture  in  Latin  by  Sir  Fulke  de  Pennebrugge,  Knight, 
Lord  of  Tonge,  to  William  the  Smith,  of  Tonge,  1377. 

This  indenture  witnesses  that  I,  Fulke  de  Pennebrugge,  Knight,  Lord  of  Tonge,  have  given 
and  granted  to  William  the  Smith  of  Tonge,  and  to  Joan  his  wife,  those  two  messuages  with 
their  adjacent  curtilages  and  appurtenances  which  John  Bysshop  formerly  held  in  the  town 
of  Tonge. 

To  have  and  to  hold  the  aforesaid  messuages  with  their  curtilages  and  appurtenances  to  the 
aforesaid  William  and  Joan  and  to  the  heirs  issuing  lawfully  from  the  body  of  the  same 
William,  of  me  and  my  heirs  freely,  quietly,  well,  and  peacefully.  Yielding  therefor  yearly  to 
me  and  my  heirs  two  shillings  of  silver  at  the  usual  terms  within  the  Manor  of  Tonge, 
and  suit  of  Court  as  the  other  burgesses  do.  And  also  I,  the  aforesaid  Fulke,  and  my  heirs 
will  warrant  the  aforesaid  messuages  with  their  curtilages  and  appurtenances  to  the  aforesaid 
William  and  Joan  and  to  the  heirs  issuing  lawfully  from  the  body  of  the  same  William  iu 
the  form  above  mentioned  against  all  people  for  ever.     In  witness  whereof  as  well  I,  the 


(d)  Or  de  Belmeis,  a  family  who  a  century  earlier  had  so  much'to  do  with  Tong. 


214  Deeds  Relating  to  Tong. 

said  Fulke,  as  the  aforesaid  William  have  to  these   indentures   alternately  appended  our 
seals.    These  being  the  witnesses : 

Fulke  the  Smith  of  Tonge, 

Thomas  Harlewyn  of  Norton, 

Roger  de  Hathain, 

William  Hynkeley,  and  others. 
Given  at  Tong,  on  Sunday  next  after  the  feast  of  St.  Hilary  the  Bishop,  In  the  fiftieth 
year  of  the  Reign  of  King  Edward  tbe  third  after  the  Conquest.    [A.D.  1377.]     Broken  seal : 
a  hare  or  rabbit. 


Release  in  Latin  by  Sir  Fulk  de  Pembruge,    Knight,   of 
claim  in  Weston  to  Sir  Adam  de  Peshale,  Knight,  1399. 

Let  all  men  know  that  I,  Fulk  de  Pembruge  (a),  Knight,  have  remitted,  relaxed,  and  abso- 
lutely quitclaimed  from  me  and  my  heirs,  to  Adani  de  Peshale(6),  Knight,  to  the  end  of  his  life, 
all  my  rent  which  he  was  accustomed  to  pay  me  namely,  thirty-three  shillings  and  four 
pence,  for  a  fifth  part  of  the  Manor  of  Weston-under-Lizard  [Co.  Staff.]  which  he  holds  from 
me  for  his  lifetime,  reserving  to  me  and  my  heirs  free  entry  and  exit  to  the  wood  within  the 

said  fifth  part  of  the  said  Manor according  to  my 

will  and  to  my  heirs  (?) . 

Dated  at  Weston  Thursd.  after  Feast  of  Conception  of  the  Blessed  Virgin  Mary  [8  Dec]  in 
the  first  year  of  Henrv  [IV.]    [1399]. 


Grant  by  Sir  Adam  de  Peshale,  Knight,  of  lands  in  Weston, 
to  Roger  de  Aston,  William  Lee  and  Thomas  de  W'alton, 
excepting  those  held  for  his  life  from  Sir  Fulk  de  Pembrug, 
Knight,  1406. 

I,  Adam  de  Peshale,  Knight,  have  given  and  by  this  my  indented'Charter  confirmed  to 
Roger  de  Aston,  parson  of  the  Church  of  Weston,  William  Lee,  and  Thomas  de  Walton,  my 
Manor  of  Weston-under-Lizard  [Co.  Staff.]  and  the  advowson  of  the  same  Manor,  with  all 
its  appurtenances,  excepting  those  lands  and  tenements  with  appurtenances  which  I  hold  in 
the  same  town  to  the  end  of  my  life  from  Fulk  de  Pembruge,  Knight. 

Dated  at  Weston,  Thursday  before  the  Feast  of  the  Purification  of  the.Blessed  Virgin  Mary 
[2  Feb.]  in  the  7th  year  of  the  reign  of  King  Henry  the  Fourth  after  the  Conauest.     [1406]. 


Indenture  by  Isabella  de  Penbrigge,  lady  of  Tonge,  and 
Sir  Richard  Vernon,  Kt.,  to  William  Wixstone,  1436-7. 
Campbell  Chart.  April  14,  1436-7,  14  Hen.  VI.,  L.F.C. 
xix.   13. 

This  indenture  made  between  Isabella  Penbrigge,  lady  of  Tonge,  and  Richard  Vernoun 
Knt.,  upon  the  one  part,  and  William  Wixstone,  upon  the  other  part,  witnesseth,  that  the 
aforesaid  Isabella  and  Richard,  have  conceded,  delivered  and  to  farm  let,  to  the  aforesaid 
William,  a  cottage  called  le  Bakhous  and  a  toft  in  which  a  cottage  called  le  Hallehous 
was  lately  built,  which  said  toft  is  called  le  hallehous  yarde,  and  three  acres 
of  waste"  land,  of  land  existing  in  the  hand  of  the  lady  and  one  half  acre 
of  meadow  lying  next  a  meadow  called  Fysshermedowe.  To  have  and  to  hold,  the  afore- 
said cottage,  toft,  three  acres  of  land  and  half  an  acre  of  meadow,  with  appurtenances,  to 
the  aforesaid  William  and  his  assigns,  from  the  day  of  the  making  of  these  presents,  until  the 
end  of  a  term  of  sixty  years,  then  next  following  and  fully  completed.  Rendering  thence 
annually,  to  the  aforesaid  Isabella,  or  to  her  certain  attorney,  or  to  her  executors,  during  the 
life  of  the  said  Isabella,  three  shillings  of  lawful  money  of  England,  and  after  the  deceasa  of 
the  said  Isabella,  if  she  should  die  within  the  term  aforesaid.  Rendering  thence  annually,  to 
the  aforesaid  Richard,  his  heirs  or  executors,  or  to  his  certain  attorney,  three  shillings  of  the 
lawful  money  of  England,  at  the  three  terms  of  the  year,  there  usual,  by  equal  portions. 
And  if  it  should  happen  that  the  aforesaid  rent  of  three  shillings  be  in  arrear,  in  part  or 
wholly,  and  not  paia  for  the  space  of  fifteen  days,  after  any  Term  in  wnich  it  ought  to  be 
paid,  then  it  shall  be  lawful  for  the  aforesaid  Isabella  and  her  assigns,  and  for  the   aforesaid 

(a)  Fulke  de  Pembruge  IV.  who  died  1499. 
lb)  Lord  of  Weston. 


Deeds  Relating  to  Tong.  215 

Richard,  bis  heirs  and  assigns,  if  the  aforesaid  Isabella  should  happen  to  die  within  the  said 
term,  to  distrain  upon  the  aforesaid  cottage,  toft,  three  acres  of  land,  and  half  an  acre  of 
meadow,  with  appurtenances,  and  upon  any  parcel  thereof,  and  to  abduct,  carry  away,  drive 
away,  and  take  possession  of,  the  distraints  so  taken,  until  the  aforesaid  rent  together  with 
the  arrears  of  the  same,  if  there  shall  be  any,  shall  be  satisfied  and  paid  to  them.  And  if  it 
should  happen  that  the  aforesaid  rent  of  three  shillings,  be  in  arrear,  in  part  or  wholly  un- 
paid for  forty  days  after  any  term  in  which  it  ought  to  be  paid,  by  default  of  the  aforesaid 
William,  and  that  sufficient  distraint  upon  the  aforesaid  cottage,  toft,  three  acres  of  land 
and  half  an  acre  of  meadow,  with  appurtenances,  cannot  bo  found,  then  it  shall  be  truly 
lawful  for  the  aforesaid  Isabella  or  her  certain  attorney,  and  to  the  aforesaid  Richard,  his 
heirs  and  assigns,  provided  that  the  said  Isabella  should  die  within  the  term  aforesaid,  to 
enter  upon  the  aforesaid  cottage,  toft,  three  acres  of  land  and  half  an  acre  of  meadow,  with 
appurtenances,  and  to  repossess  the  same,  and  to  hold  thein  in  their  original  state,  the  present 
indentures  notwithstanding.  And  the  aforesaid  William  shall  build  upon  the  said  toft,  next 
the  said  cottage  called  le  Bakhous,  a  certain  house  of  two  spaces,  and  a  sufficient  oven  in  the 
said  house,  such  as  may  satisfy  the  tenants  of  the  lord  there.  And  the  aforesaid  William 
shall  build,  upon  the  said  toft,  called  the  "Ilallehous  varde,"  a  certain  house  of  three  spaces 
in  which  the  said  Wiliiam  shall  dwell,  within  two  years  of  the  term  aforesaid.  And  the 
aforesaid  William  his  heirs  or  assigns,  shall  well  and  sufficiently  repair,  sustain,  and  main-, 
tain,  the  said  tenement  so  erected,  as  often  as  it  shall  be  necessary,  during  the  term  afore- 
said, and  shall  restore  it,  sufficiently  repaired,  at  the  end  of  the  term  aforesaid.  And  the 
aforesaid  Isabella  and  Richard,  and  their  heirs,  shall  warrant,  in  form  aforesaid,  the  afore- 
said cottage,  toft,  and  three  acres  of  land  and  half  an  acre  of  meadow  land,  with  appurten- 
ances, to  the  aforesaid  William  and  his  assigns,  during  the  whole  of  the  term  aforesaid,, 
against  all  people.  In  testimony  whereof  the  parties  aforesaid,  have  alternately  affixed  their 
seals  to  those  Indentures.  These  being  witnesses,  Thomas  Merstone,  William  Glever,  Henry 
Benet,  John  Jowe,  John  Cat,  of  Aylestone,  and  many  others.  Dated  at  Aylestoue,  the  14th 
day  of  the  month  of  April,  in  the  14th  year  of  the  reign  of  King  Henry,  the  sixth  since-  the 
Conquest. 

A  small  circular  seal  of  red  wax  impressed  with  the  letter  I.  surmounted  by  a  crown. 

This  seal  is  sketched  on  the  plate  at  page  27,  and  an  account  of  Isabella,  the  Foundress  of 
Tong  College  and  Church,  is  given  on  page  32. 


Grant,  in  Latin,  by  Isabella  (formerly  wife  of  Sir  Fulco 
Penbrugge,  Knight),  lady  of  Tonge,  and  Sir  Richard  Vernon, 
Knight,  to  Thomas  Skot  and  Johanna  his  wife,  at  the  rent  of 
a  red  rose,   1446. 

To  all  the  faithful  in  Christ  to  whom  this  present  indented  writing  may  come  Isabella  (a) 
formerly  wife  to  Fulco  Penbrugge,  Knight,  lady  of  Tonge,  in  the  County  of  Salop,  and 
Richard  Vernon,  Knight,  greeting  in  the  Lord.  Since  I  the  aforesaid  Isabella  may  have  and 
hold  for  term  of  my  life,  a  burgage  with  croft  at  the  end  of  tlie  town  of  Tonge  towards 
Culsale  (b),  situated  next  the  high  way,  the  reversion  and  remainder  of  the  said  Burgage  and 
Croft  belonging  after  the  death  of  the  said  Isabella  to  me  the  said  Richard  Vernon  and  my 
heirs.  Know  that  we  the  aforesaid  Isabella  and  Richard  Vernon  by  unanimous  assent  and 
will,  have  delivered,  conceded,  and  by  this  own  present  indented  writing  have  confirmed  to 
Thomas  Skot  (c)  and  Johanna  his  wife  the  aforesaid  Burgage  with  croft,  for  the  good 
service  of  the  said  Thomas,  paid  to  me  the  said  Isabella  and  also  for  the  laudable  service  to  be- 
hereafter  paid  to  me  the  aforesaid  Isabella  and  to  Richard,  and  to  the  heirs  of  the  said 
Richard.  To  have  and  to  hold  the  aforesaid  Burgage  with  Croft,  to  the  aforesaid  Thomas 
aad  Johanna  his  wife  for  the  term  of  their  lives  and  of  the  longest  liver  of  them.  Rendering 
thence  annually  to  me  the  said  Isabella  during  my  life  and  after  the  death  of  tue  said 
Isabella  to  me  the  said  Richard  and  my  heirs  during  the  life  of  the  said  Thomas  and  Johanna 
and  the  longest  liver  of  them,  a  red  rose  on  the  feast  of  St.  John  the  Baptist  suit  at  Court 
and  of  the  mill  for  all  other  services  and  demands.  And  the  said  Thomas  and  Johanna  shall 
well  and  truly  maintain  repair  and  sustain  the  said  Burgage  with  croft  during  their  lives- 
and  the  longest  liver  of  them,  at  the  expense  of  16s.  to  them,  and  after  the  death  of  the  said 
Thomas  and  Johanna  the  said  Burgage  with  croft  shall  wholly  remain  to  mo  the  said 
Richard  and  to  my  heirs  for  ever.  And  we  therefore  the  aforesaid  Isabella  and  Richard  and  my 
heirs  will  warrant  and  defend  the  aforesaid  Burgage  with  croft  to  the  aforesaid  Thomas  and 
Johanna  during  their  lives  and  the  longest  liver  of  them  in  form  aforesaid  against  all 
people.    In  testimony  whereof  the  said  Isabella  and  Richard  Vernon  have  affixed  their  seal* 

(a)  Same  as  in  preceding  deed.    The  Foundress  of  Tong  College— see  page  IS.    Date  144.6,. 
24  Hen.  VI. 
(6)  Kilsall. 
fcc)  Name  mentioned  on  page  107*, 


216  Deeds  Relating  to  Tong. 

to  the  one  part  of  the  indented  writing  remaining  in  the  possession  of  the  |aforesaid 
Isabella  and  Richard,  the, aforesaid  Thomas  and  Johanna  have  affixed  their  seals.  'Dated  at 
Tonge  on  the  feast  of  All  Saints  in  the  twenty-fourth  year  of  the  reign  of  King  Henry  the 
Sixth  since  the  conquest. 

.(Without  Seal.) 


Charter,  in  Latin,  by  Sir  Richard  Vernone,  Knight  (see 
Page  37)  to  Jonn  Vernone,  his  son,  of  all  his  lands  at 
Trusseley,  Co.  Derby,  1447. 

Know  men  present  and  to  come  that  I,  Richard  Vernone,  Knight,  hare  given  granted,  and 
by  this  my  present  charter  confirmed  to  John  Vernone  my  son,  all  my  lands  and  tenements, 
rents  and  services,  meadows,  fields,  and  pastures,  with  all  their  appurtenances  in  the  town 
and  fields  of  Trusseley  in  the  County  of  Derby.  To  have  and  to  hold  all  the  aforesaid  lands 
and  tenements,  rents  and  services,  meadows,  fields  and  pastures,  with  all  their  appurtenances, 
to  the  aforesaid  John,  his  heirs  and  assigns  for  ever  of  the  chief  lords  of  that  fee  for  the 
services  there  for  due  and  of  right  accustomed  :  And  I  also  the  aforesaid  Richard  and  my 
heirs  will  warrant  and  for  ever  defend  all  the  aforesaid  lands  and  tenements,  rents  and 
services,  meadows,  fields  and  pastures  with  all  their  appurtenances  aforesaid  to  the  above  said 
John  his  heirs  and  assigns  against  all  people.  In  witness  whereof  to  this  my  present  charter 
I  have  appended  my  seal.     These  being  the  witnesses  : 

Thomas  Blount,  Sampson  Meverell,  Knights  : 
Nicholas  Mountegomery,  John  Cokayn, 
Henry  Bradborne,  esquires,  and  others 
Given  at  Harlastone,  on  the  fourteenth  day  of  the  month  of  September  In  the'twenty-sixth 
year  of  the  reign  of  King  Henry  the  Sixtli  after  the  Conquest.  [A.D.  1447.] 
Seal  in  red  wax  :    A  Shield  of  Arms  ;   Fretty,  a  canton,  etc. 
SIGILLUM.     RICARDI.    VERNOUN.     MILITIS. 


Mr.  Charles  Wrottesley  writes  to  the  Rev.  J.  H.  C.  Clarke, 
vicar  of  Tong  : — "  General  Wrottesley  copied  for  me  John 
Mitton's  will,  dated  1499,  from  a  manuscript  of  '  Huntbach,' 
now  at  Wrottesley.  I  should  have  sent  it  to  you  before,  but  I 
mislaid  it.  You  will  see  in  his  will  John  Mitton  of  Weston 
bequeaths  2/6  to  the  '  forming  of  Tong  Church,'  which  I 
suppose  is  the  ancient  way  of  naming  the  seats  in  a  Church." 

Huntbach  M.S.  at  Wrottesley,  p.  153,  Oct.  12,  1893. 

In  the  name  of  God  Amen,*  21  Dec,  1499,  I  John  Mitton  of  Weston  make  my  testament  in 
this  wise.  First  I  bequeath  my  soul  to  God  and  to  our  Lady  and  all  the  company  of  heyven 
and  my  body  to  be  buryed  in  the  Chancell  of  St.  Andrew  of  Weston,  and  40/s  to  the  said 
Church  and  XIll>  of  wax  to  burne  about  my  body  the  day  of  my  buryall  to  our  Lady  of 
Coventry  12d.  to  St.  Chad  of  Lichfield  12d.  I  give  to  my  wife  the  Manor  of  Weston  for  6 
yeares  to  find  a  preist  to  sing  for  my  soule  in  the  Church  of  St.  Andrew  of  Weston  for  7yeares, 
to  Griffith  my  son  5  marks  of  land  for  his  life  and  10  marks  in  monye,  6  kiue,  2  gownes,  and 
2  doubletts.  I  will  my  servant  John  Brokes  goder  (gather)  my  rents  in  Bobinton  and  have 
20/s  per  annum  for  his  life.  Item  to  my  servant  Thomas  Steventon  63  8d,  to  William  Fowke 
of  Brewewoae  a  gowne  of  black  and  penke  furred  with  martennes,  to  Bobinton  Church  3s  4d, 
to  the  forming  of  the  Church  at  Tong  2s  6d.  To  my  cozen  Joyce  Jacks  the  farm  of 
Donnetione  for  her  life.  Executors  Jane  his  wife  and  Mr.  Docter  Salter  and  the  Lord 
Shrewsbury,  overseer.    Proved  12  February,  1499.* 


Fulke  Eyton'sWill,  date  1454.     See  referred  to  on  page  36. 

"  In  dei  nomine,  Amen;  and  of  oure  Lady  and  of  alle  the  Holy  Company  of  Heven, 
Amen.  I  Fooke  Eiton,  Esquire,  hole  of  body  and  mynd,  make  my  Testament  in  this 
wise.  First  I  bequeath  my  sowle  to  God,  and  to  our  Lady,  and  to  alle  the  Company  of 
Heven,  and  make  myn  Executors  Sir  Richard  Eiton  Prest  my  brother,  Warden  of  the 
College  of  Tonge,  and  Sir  Roger  the  Vicar  of  Welyngton,  and  Isabella  Englefield.  First 
I  will  that  my  body  be  laide  in  Tonge,   by  my    Godfadre,    Sir  Fowke   of    Penbrege, 

*  One  of  these  dates  is  an  error. 


Deeds  Relating  to  Tong.  217 

withinne  the  Chapell  of  Oure  Lady ;  and  after  that,  I  will  that  there  be  take  of  my  best 
goods  for  to  say  V  thousand  placebos  and  dirigies  and  V  thousand  masses^;  and  for  every 
dirigie  and  masse  iiijd.,  add  I  bequeth  to  the  almeshouse  of  Tonge  X  Li  of  money,  for  the 
which  money  the  said  almesman  should  be  charged  for  to  sey  at  my  grave  De  profundis, 
thei  that  canne,  and  thei  that  can  not  a  Pater  noster — and  for  mo  sowle  and  Thomas  of 
Eiton  my  fadre  and  Katherine  my  modre's  sowles;  and  also  thei  should  pay  a  prest  to 
cast  holy  water  on  my  grave.  Also  I  bequetli  to  the  Warden  and  to  the  Prestes  of  the 
saide  College  of  Tonge  my  best  Basin  and  Eure  of  Silver;  and  the  saide  Warden  and 
Prestes  shall  have  in  charge,  every  daie  when  thei  wesch,  to  sei  a  Pater  Noster  and  Ave, 
and  so  to  have  me  in  perpetuall  remembrance. — Also  I  bequeth  to  the  saide  Collage  a  Bed 
called  a  fedrebed,  with  the  honging  thereto  of  blew  worstede;  wherefore  the  saide 
Warden  and  Prestes  should  be  charged  and  bounden  for  to  seie  withyn  the  same  yere  XV 
Placesbos  and  Dirigiees,  and  V  Masses  of  the  Trinitee,  and  V  of  the  Holy  Ghost, 
V  and  of  our  Ladye,  and  while  it  pleasith  him  to  seie  a  mass  of  Requiem  every 
yere,  on  that  same  day  that  I  dide  upon.  Also  I  bequeth  to  a  prest  to  synge  V 
yere  as  my  Executor  may  accorde  with  him  for  my  fadre  sowle,  and  my  modere's 
and  myn,  and  I  charge  you  that  he  be  a  clene  man  ot  his  body.  Also  I  bequeth 
to  John  Eiton  alle  myn  horse  and  riding  harnes,  reservyd  to  me  all  my  trapers  and 
harnes  of  Goldsmythes  worke;  and  I  will  that  Luce  his  wife  have  X,li  so  that  she 
kepe  here  a  clene  woman  and  a  good  till  the  daye  of  here  manage.  I  bequeth  also  to 
John  the  boy  an  horso  and  XL.S  :  and  also  to  John  de  LabowJey  XL.s.;  and  to  my  page 
Hermon  XX,s, :  for  thei  both  came  with  me  out  of  Normandye.  Also  I  bequeth  to  the 
Chapell  of  our  Lady  of  Tonge  my  masse  boke  and  Chalice,  and  my  blew  vestiment  of 
damaske  of  my  arm.es ;  and  another  vestiment  to  Wembrege,  to  pray  for  my  fadre's  sowle 
and  my  modere's.  I  bequeth  also  to  John  Eiton  XX. li  to  his  manage;  and  to  Fowke 
Eiton,  Roger  Eiton  son  other  XX  li  of  the  summe  the  which  Roger  Eiton  oweth  me;  and 
he  to  be  alowed  of  all  that  he  paide  me. — Also  I  wille  that  the-  said  Roger  yeve  to  every 
frere  house  of  Schropbery  a  centayn  ot  come  for  to  pay  certain  eires  (years)  for  my  soule, 
after  the  disposition  of  myn  Executours :  and  that  if  he  woll  not  1  charge  you  that  ye  law- 
fully sue  him  till  he  doe  it.  Also  I  woll  that  my  Lord  of  Arundell,  that  now  is  aggre  and! 
compoune  with  you  my  seide  Executours,  for  the  bon  (bones)  of  my  Lord  John  his  brother, 
that  I  broughte  oute  ot  France ;  for  the-  which  carriage  of  bon  and  oute  of  the  frenche- 
mennys  hand'es  delyveraunce,he  owith  me-  a  ml,  marc  and  iiij  c,  and  aftere  myn  Executours 
byn  compouned  with,  I  woll  that  the  bon  ben  buried  in  the  Collage  of  Arundell,  after 
his  intent;,  and  so  I  to  be  praide  for  in  the  College  of  Arundell  and  Almeshouse  per- 
petually. Also  I  bequeth  to  Nicholas  Eiton  one- of  the  good  fedre  beddis  and  a  chambre 
and  a  bedde  of  lynne  cloth,  styned  with  horses.  I  bequeth  also  to  Labelle  Englefield 
another  goode  feder  bedd,  and  a  pair  of  fustians  and  a  sparrcer  of  selke,  the  which  myn 
armes  beth  ynne;  and  after  herdecesse,  to  yeve  it  to  John  Engleffeld  here  sone.. — and  as 
towchinge  the  goodes  to  fulfills  my  Testament,  Sir  Wiliam  lynsey  my  prest  can  telle  you 
where  thei  ben  and  more  overplus.  Wherefore  I  charge  you  as  ye  will  answer  afore  God 
at  the  dreddful'l  day  of  Dome  and  that  ye  fnllfill  and  complete  this  my  Testament  here  and 
afore  Godr  I  geve  you  full  power  of  all  my  go-des,  so  for  to  do ;  and  wille  that  my  brothers 
Nicholas  and  Roger,  have  the  oversight  of  the  fulfilling  of  my  Testament.  In  to  the 
witness  of  alle  this,  I  have  sett  to  the  ssigne  of  myn  arrres  and  the  seigne  of  myn  devise,  1 
wreten  atte  Schrawardyne  the  VLij  day  of  Februarie  the  yere  of  our  Lorde  a.m.l,  cccclh" 
(Proved  12th  Dec,  1454,  by  Richard  Eiton  and  Isabella  Englefield). 
Ex  Shreds  and  Patches. 


A  curious  letter  of  Margaret,  Lady  Stanley   (see  pages  64 
and  177),  to  her  brother-  [-in-law] ,  John  Manners, 

1594,  Sept.  16,  Tonge.  I  spoke  to  you  before  of  a  lease  my  father  blade  cf  a  tenement  at 
Harleston  to  Harry  Vernon  and  Dorothy  his  wife  and  George  tl.eir  son  fur  tlndr  lives*  but 
virtue  uf  which  they  lived  and  died  in  that  tenement.  Now  comes  Maud.  Vernon  and  claims 
iit  by  virtue  of  a  prior  lease  granted  to  her  father  and  mother  and  her.  by  my  fa' her.  She- 
can,  shew  no  lease,  but  tries  to  prove  it,  by  witnesses.  As  these  witnes-es  fail,  t&ey  vaunt 
that  Lady  Vernon  "  will  knocke  yt  deade-,  and  that  in  her  y*  all  there  tn.ste,'  It  would  be- 
very  bad  if  my  lady  should  do  so,  as  she  cannot  justify  Maud  Vernon's  title,  without  touching, 
my  father's  credit.     I  beg  to  be  commended  to  my  nephow  George  and  his  wife. 

Signotl 


Indenture  between  Sir  Edward  Stanley,  K.B.,  Sir  Baptist 
Hickes,  and  Dame  Elizabeth,  his  wife,  of  the  one  part,  and. 
Tboroas  Cromptony  of  Stone,   Esq. ;.   Robert  Cliallenor 

cc 


2i 8  Deeds  Relating  to  Tong. 

Richard  Barbour,  of  Stone,  gent.  ;  George  Bennett,  the  elder, 
of  London,  and  George  Bennett  the  younger ;  and  John 
Daintry,  of  Spott  Grange,  yeoman,  of  the  other  part.  A.D. 
1613.     (L.  F.  C.  xi.,  30,  Brit,  Mus.) 

This  Indenture  made  the  three  and  twentieth  daye  of  June  in  the  yeres  of  the  Eaigne  of 
our  Soueraigne  lord  James  by  the  grace  of  God  king  of  England  Scotland  ffraunce  and 
Ireland  Defendor  of  the  ffaith  etc.  That  is  to  saye  of  England  ffraunce  and  Ireland  the 
Eleuenth,  and  of  Scotland  the  Sixe  and  ffouretietli,  Betweene  Sir  Edward  Stanley  of  Ensham, 
in  the  Countie  of  Oxon  Knight  of  the  Honorable  order  of  the  Bath  Sir  Baptist  Hickes  of  the 
City  of  London  Knight  and  Dame  Elizabeth  his  wife  of  the  one  partie,  And  Thomas  Crouipton 
of  Stone  in  the  Countie  of  Stafford  Esquire,  Bobert  Challenor  and  Bichard  Barbour  of  Stone 
aforesaid  gent,  George  Bennett  the  elder  Citizen  and  Salter  of  London,  and  George  Bennett 
the  younger  Sonne  of  the  saide  George  Bennett  the  elder.  And  John  Daintry  of  Spott  grange 
in  the  said  Countie  of  Stafford  yeoman  on  the  other  partie,  Whereas  the  saide  Sir  Edwaid 
Stanley  and  Sir  Baptist  Hickes,  by  diverse  and  sundry  deedes  Indented  bearing  date  the 
second  day  of  November  lasb  pasc  before  the  date  of  these  presents,  and  enrolled  in  his. 
Majesties  High  Court  of  Chauncery,  as  also  by  diverse  and  sundry  other  deeds  bearing  date  the 
Tenth  day  of  November  last  past  before  the  date  of  these  presents,  Have  for  the  Considerations 
in  the  saide  Deeds  expressed  graunted  bargained  sold  assured  Conveighed  vnto  them  the 
aforesaid  Thomas  Crompton  Bobert  Challenor  Bichard  Barbour  and  John  Daintry  theire 
heires  and  assignees,  And  unto  the  said  George  Bennett  the  elder  and  George  Bsnnett  the 
yonger  and  the  heires  and  assignees  of  the  saide  George  Bennett  the  elder  diverse  Messuages 
Cottages  ffarmes  lands  Tenements  Commons  and  Hereditaments  scituate  lying  and  being  or 
to  be  had  Received  or  taken  within  the  Manor  or  Lordshipp  of  Cublaston  alias 
Kibbulstan  alias  Kebleston,  alias  kebulston  alias  Cubleston,  and  in  Stone  in  the  aforesaid 
Countie  of  Stafford  :  as  by  the  said  severall  deeds  more  at  larger  appeareth,  And  whereas 
also  the  saide  Sir  Edward  Stanley,  Sir  Baptist  Hickes  and  Dame  Elizabeth  his  wife  have  in 
*he  Octaves  of  Saint  Martin  last  past  before  the  date  of  these  presents  leuied  and  acknow- 
ledged one  ffine  before  his  Majesties  Justices  of  the  Common  Pleas  at  Westminster  vnto  the 
aforesaid  Thomas  Crompton  and  Robert  Challenor  and  to  the  heires  of  the  saide  Thomas  of 
Thirty  Messuages,  Tenne  Cottages,  ffourety  gardens  three  hundred  acres  of  land,  two 
hundred  acres  of  meadow  ffoure  thousand  acres  of  pasture  a  hundred  acres  of  wood  ffoure 
hundred  acres  of  ffures  and  Heath,  and  one  Hundred  acres  of  Moore  with  the  appurtenauncts 
in  Cublaston  alias  Kibbulston  alias  Kebleston  alias  Kebulston  alias  Cubleston  Meyford  alias 
Meyforth  Outonne  alias  oulton  Cotwalton  Woodhouses  alias  Woodhousen  Spott  ana  Scone,, 
and  of  Common  of  pasture  for  all  manner  of  Cattle  in  Outoune  alias  Oulton  and  Meyford 
alias  Meyforth  as  by  the  Record  of  the  saide  ffine  more  at  large  appeareth  :  Now  these 
present  witnesse  that  the  entent  and  true  meaninge  of  the  parties  to  the  said  ffine  at  the  tyme 
of  the  acknowledging  thereof  was,  That  the  Messuages  iCottages  lands  Tenements  Commons 
and  other  the  hereditaments  in  the  saide  ffine  Conteyned  were,  And  it  was  ment  and  entended 
they  should  be  the  Messuages  Cottages  lands,  Tenements  and  hereditaments  by  the  aforesaid 
deeds  enrolled  and  other  the  Conveiances  aforsaide  graunted  bargained  sold  assured  and 
Conveighed  or  thereby  mencioned  to  be  graunted  bargained  sold  assured  and  Conveighed, 
And  all  and  every  the  parties  to  these  presents  doe  further  by  these  presents  declare,  And 
fop  them  and  every  of  them  theire  and  every  of  theire  heires  and  assignes  doeC  ovenantg 
gsaunt  and  agree  that  the  saide  ffine  shall  be  an  envre,  and  shall  be  deemed  and  taken  to. 
bean  envre.  And  that  they  the  saide  Thomas  Cromspton  ^nd  Robert  Challenor  theire  heires 
and  assignes  shall  stand  and  be  seised  of  the  premisses  in  the  saide  ffine  mencioned  and 
Conteyned  vnto  the  uses  entents  and  purpose  hereafter  followinge.  That  is  to  say  that  as  to. 
the  Messuages  [etc.,  etc.] 

la  witness  whereof  the  parties  above  said  to  these  presents  have  interchangeably  put 
ttxeire  handes  and  seales  the  day  and  yere  first  above  written,    [A..D.  1613.] 

Seals  of  the  arms  of 

Sir  Edward  Stanley  and. 
Sir  Baptist  Hickes. 

Edward  Stanley  Baptiste  Hickes. 

Sealed  and  delivered  in  the  presence  of  ^      Sealed  and  delivered 
John  Lathu.  (a)  >  per  Sir  Baptist  Hickes. 

Simon  Smith.  )  in  the  greseuites. of   vs. 

Robt.  Grigg. 
iElcocke. 

(a>  It  will  be  remembered  that  this  man,  wrote  the  coffin  plate  recently  found  in.  the  vault 
4aXQtt^Ch.uxchs    See  page  65.. 


Deeds  Relating  to  Tong.  219 

Deed— John  Giffard,  of  Boscobell,  and  his  three  daughters, 
Frances,  Dorothy,  and  Phillip,  1632. 

To  all  Christian  people  to  whome  theis  presentes  shall  come  I  John  Giffard  of  Boscobell  in 
the  Countie  of  Salop  Esquier  doe  send  greetinge  in  our  Lord  God  everlastinge.  Whereas  I  the 
said  John  Giffard  by  Indenture  bearing  date  the  Ninth  day  of  May  last  past  before  the  date 
of  theis  presentes  made  Betweene  me  the  said  John  Giffard  of  the  one  parte,  And  ffraunces 
Giffard,  Dorothie  Giffard  and  Phillip  Giffard  three  of  the  daughters  of  me  the  said  John 
Giffard  on  thother  parte,  for  and  in  consideracion  of  the  naturall  Love  and  Affeccon  which  I 
have  to  my  said  daughters  And  for  the  Continuance  of  the  Lands  thereafter  expressed  in  my 
blond  And  for  other  Consideracons  me  the  said  John  Giffard  especially  thereunto  moving 
did  for  me  and  my  heires  thereby  covenant  and  graunt  to  and  with  the  said  ffraneces  Giffard 
Dorothie  Giffard  and  Phillip  Giffard  their  heires  and  assignes  That  I  the  said  John  Giffard 
and  my  heires  and  every  other  person  and  persons  and  his  and  their  heires  whoe  then  stood 
and  were  seised  or  hereafter  should  stand  and  be  seized  of  any  estate  of  Inheritance  in  all  or 
any  parte  of  the  Scite  of  the  dissolved  Monastery  Priory  or  Nunnery  of  the  White  Ladies  of 
Brewood  otherwise  called  theSciteof  the  late  howseand  Church  of  saint  Leonard  of  Brewood 
in  the  Counties  of  Salop  or  Stafford  or  either  of  them  And  of  the  Scite  of  the  howse  now 
Called  or  knowne  by  the  name  of  Boscobell  And  of  all  or  any  parte  of  the  howses  Buildings 
Barnes  gardens  orchards  dovecotes  hoppyards  Lands  Tenements  Meadowes  Leasowes 
pastures  profitts  Comodities  Rentes  Revercions  quitt  rents  and  all  and  singular 
other  the  hereditaments  to  the  said  dissolved  Monastery  Nunnery  or  Howse  and 
Church  in  any  wise  belonging  which  was  or  were  theretofore  the  inheritance  of 
Edward  Giffard  Esqre  deceased  father  to  me  the  said  John  Giffard  And  of  all 
that  the  Grange  Farm  or  Teuemente  called  Necholes  with  the  appurtenaunces  in 
the  parishes  of  Tonge  and  Donnington  or  either  of  them  in  the  said  Countie  of 
Salop  -and  of  all  howses  Buildings  Lands  Tenements  and  other  hereditaments  to  the  said 
Grange  or  farme  or  Tenement  in  any  wise  belonginge  or  then  or  late  to  and  with  the  same 
occupied  or  enjoyed  or  was  reputed  to  be  parte  or  parcell  of  the  said  Grange  or  farm  called 
Necholls  And  aisoe  of  all  that  the  Mannour  of  Plordweeke  with  the  appurtenaunces  in  the 
said  Countie  of  Stafford  and  all  the  Lands  Tenements  Rents  Revercons  and  other  heredita- 
ments being  and  arisinge  in  or  out  of  the  Townes  feilds  or  precincts  of  Plordweeke  which 
heretofore  were  the  inheritance  of  the  said  Edward  Giffard  deceased  should  and  would  stand 
and  be  seised  thereof  and  of  every  parcell  thereof  to  the  severall  uses  intents  and  purposes 
thereafter  expressed  That  is  to  say  of  the  Scite  of  the  paid  dissolved  Monastery  Priorie  or 
Nunnery  of  White  Ladies  of  Brewood  otherwise  called  the  Scite  of  the  howse  and  Church  of 
St.  Leonard  of  Brewood  the  house  called  Boscobell  and  of  all  and  singular  other  the  premisses 
with  their  and  every  of  their  appurtenaunces  to  the  said  howse  Priory  Nunnery  or  Church 
belonging  or  to  or  with  the  same  used  or  enjoyed  And  alsoe  of  the  saide  Grange  or  ferme 
called  Necholls  and  all  other  the  premisses  with  their  appurtenaunces  to  the  said  Grange  or 
farme  belonging  or  to  and  with  the  same  used  or  enjoyed  TO  the  use  and  behoofe  of  the 
said  John  Giffard  for  and  during  his  Naturall  life  without  impeachment  of  or  for  any 
manner  of  Wast  whatsoever  and  from  and  after  the  decease  of  the  said  John  Giffard  then 
TO  [the  use  and  behobpe  of  the  said]  ffraunces  Giffard  and  her  heirs  &c.  1632. 
(Signed)  Jhon  Gyfford. 

Seal  of  his  arms  well  preserved. 
Endorsed.— Subscribed,  sealed  and  delivered  in  the  presence  of— 

Jephson  JnrtI 
Thomas  Cotton 
Edward  Bariff 


Deed — John  Giffard,  of  Boscobell,  and  John  Cotton  and 
Frances  Giffard,  on  their  marriage,  re  White  Ladies,  Bosco- 
bell, and  Neachley  Grange,  1633. 

This  Indenture  made  the  Twentith  daie  of  June  in  the  Eight  yeare  of  the  raigne  of  our 
soveraigne  Lord  Charles  by  the  grace  of  God  of  England  Scotland  ffraunce  and  Ireland  King 
Defender  of  the  faith  etc.  Betweene  John  Giffard  of  Boscobell  in  the  Countie  of  Salop 
esquire  of  a  th'one  parte  and  John  Cotton  Sonne  and  heire  apparent  of  Thomas  Cotton  af 
Gidding  Abbotts  In  the  Countie  of  Huntington  esquire  and  ffraunces  Giffard  daughter  of 
the  said  John  Giffard  of  th'other  parte  Witnesseth  that  the  said  John  Giffard  for  and  in 
Consideracon  of  a  marriage  by  the  grace  of  God  shortly  to  be  had  and  soli'inpui/.rd  by  and 
betweene  the  said  John  Cotton  and  ffraunces  Giffard  And  for  the  naturale  love  and 
affeccon  which  the  said  John  Gilford  beareth  unto  his  said  daughter  and  unto  the  said  John 
Cotton  his  intended  Bonna  in  lawe  and  for  the  Continuance  of  the  lands  hereafter  menconed 
in  his  blood  and  for  other  good  causes  and  consideracons  him  the  said  John  Giffard  thereunto 
specially  moveinge  Doth  for  him  his  heires  and  assignes,  and  everie  of  them  Coveuauat 


22o  Deeds  Relating  to  Tong. 


graunte  anrl  agree  to  and  with  the  said  John  Cotton  and  ffraunces  Gyffai-d  and  either  of 
them  their  heires  executours  administrators  and  assignes  and  every  of  them  by  theis  presents 
That  hee  the  said  John  Giffard  and  his  heires  and  every  other  person  and  persons  and  his  and 
their  heires  whoe  nowe  stand  or  bee  seised  or  at  any  time  hereafter  shall  stand  or  bee  seised 
of  any  estate  of  inheritance  of  or  in  all  or  any  parte  of  the  Scite  of  the  Mannour  or  disolved 
Monastery  Priorye  or  Nunnerye  of  the  White  Ladies  of  Brewood  otherwise  called  the  Scite 
of  the  late  howse  and  Church  of  St.  Leonard  of  Brewood  with  th'  appurtenaunces  situate 
lyeing  or  being  in  the  Counties  of  Salopp  and  Stafford  or  one  of  them  And  of  the  Scite  of  the 
howse  nowe  called  or  knowne  by  the  name  of  Boscobell.  And  of  all  that  the  Graunge  ffarme 
or  Tenement  Called  Nechel  Is  with  th'appurtenances  situate  or  being  in  the  parrishes  of  Tonge 
and  Donnington  or  either  of  them  in  the  said  Countie  of  Salopp  with  th'appurtenaunces 
scituate  lyeing  and  being  in  the  said  Countie  of  Salopp  and  Stafford  or  one  of  them  And  of 
all  or  any  parte  of  the  'howses.buildingps  Barnes  stables  Courtes  Backsides  gardens  orchards 
dovecotts  hoppyards  lands  meadowes  leysures  pastures  feedinges  waters  pondes  fishpooles 
profitts  Comodities  services  Rentes  quitrents  reversions  and  all  and  singular  other  the 
hereditaments  with  their  and  every  of  their  appurtenaunces  unto  the  said  Mannour  or 
disolved  Monastery  Priorye  Nunnery  howse  or  Church  Graunge  ffarme  or  Tenement  in  any 
wise  belonginge  or  apperteyning  or  now  or  late  vsed  occupied  or  enjoyed  with  the  same  or 
knowne  reputed  or  taken  to  be  part  or  par?ell  thereof  and  of  all  other  the  Landes  and 
tenementes  of  inheritance  of  the  said  John  Giffard  lyeing  and  beinge  in  the  said  Counties  of 
Stafford  and  Salope  or  either  of  them  (except  all  that  Tenement  with  th'appurtenaunces 
commonly  called  Hedgford  lyeing  in  the  said  Countie  of  Stafford)  shall  and  will  imediately 
from  and  after  the  said  Marriage  had  and  solempnized  Betweene  the  said  John  and  ffraunces 
stand  aud  be  seised  thereof  and  of  every  parte  and  parcell  thereof  and  of  all  and  singular  the 
premises  with  th'appurtenaunces  (except  before  excepted)  unto  the  several  uses  intentes  and 
purposes  hereafter  in  and  by  theis  presentes  menconed  expressed  limitted  or  declared  and  vnto 
none  other  use  intent  or  purpose  whatsoever  that  is  to  saie  unto  the  use  and  behoofe  of  him 
the  said  John  Giffard  and  Dorothy  Giffard  wife  of  the  said  John  Giffard  for  and  dureing 
their  naturall  lives  and  the  naturall  life  of  the  longest  liver  of  them  And  from  and  after  the 
deathes  of  them  the  said  John  Giffard  and  Dorothie  his  wife  vnto  the  use  and  behoofe  of  the 
said  ffraunces  Giffard.  &c,  &c,  provided  allwayes  and  it  is  mutually  agreed  Betweene  the 
said  parties  that  the  sale  of  the  said  tymber  and  tymber  trees  be  ffirst  of  all  Tendred  for  the 
said  somme  of  Three  Hundred  pounds  vnto  them  the  said  John  Cotton  and  ffrannces  his 
intended  wife  or  to  the  survivor  of  them  before  any  sale  thereof  be  absolutely  made  unto  any 
person  or  persons  whatsoever.  And  the  said  John  Giffard  for  himselfe  his  Executors 
administratours  and  assignes  and  every  of  them  Doth  Covenaunte  graunte  promise  and  agree 
to  and  with  the  said  John  Cotton  and  ffraunces  Giffard  his  intended  wife  and  either  of  them 
their  executours  administratours  and  assignes  and  every  of  them  by  theis  presentes  That  hee 
the  said  John  Giffard  or  his  assignes  or  any  other  person  or  persons  by  or  with  his  consent  or 
procurement  dureing  the  naturall  life  of  him  the  said  John  Giffard  shall  not  nor  will  not  fell 
or  cutt  downe  or  cause  to  be  felled  or  cutt  downe  any  wood  Underwood  or  Copice  wood 
standinge  or  groweinge  in  the  vpward  parte  of  the  wood  Commonly  Called  or  knowne  by  the 
name  of  Cawdle  wood  the  same  wood  being  parcell  of  the  foremenconed  premisses  and  the 
said  vpward  parte  thereof  in  and  by  this  covenaunte  intended  doth' conteyne  and  is  to  be 
esteemed  the  greater  parte  of  the  said  Wood  and  leadeth  from  the  dwelling  howse  there 
called  Boscobell  to  the  Lavvnde  there  belowe  In  Wittnes  whereof  the  parties  ffirst  above 
named  have  vnto  theis  presentes  Interchangeably  putt  their  hands  and  seales  the  day  and 
yeare  first  above  written. 

(Signed)  Jhon  Gyffard 

Seal  of  his  arms  :  well  preserved. 
Endorsed  :— Sealed  and  delivered  in  the  presence  of 

Thomas  Cotton 
Thomas  Cotton 
Jephson  Jnell 
Edward  Husbands 
[British  Museum.    Cotton  Charters,  iv,  i3— 2.] 


Deed — John  Giffard  to  John  Cotton,  re  White  Ladies,  1632. 

Memorandum  quod  Johannes  Gyffard  de  Boscobell  in  Comitatu  Salopie  Armiger  (blank  in 
MS)  Junii  Anno  Regni  Domini  nostri  Caroli  Regis  Anglie  Scotie  Prauncie  et  Hibernie  etc  : 
Octavo  Coram  Domino  Rege  in  Cancellaria  sua  personaliter  constitutus  Recoguovit  etc. 

The  Condicon  of  this  Obligacon  is  such  that  yf  thabovebounden  John  Cotton  doe  or  shall 
from  time  to  time  and  at  all  times  hereafter  peaceably  and  quietly  permit  and  suffer  thabove 
named  John  Gyffard  and  his  asgs  to  have  hold  possesse  and  injoye  All  that  Maunor  Scite  of 
the  Mannor  or  dissolved  Monastery  or  Nunnery  of  the  Whiteladyes  of  Brewoode  otherwise 
called  ye  Scite  of  the  late  howse  and  Church  of  Set  Leonard  of  Brewood  with  thappurtenaunces 
scituate  lyinge  or  beinge  in  the  Countyes  of  Salope  and  r-tafford  or  one  of  them  And  alsoe 
all  that  Scite  of  the  howse  nowe  Commonly  called  or  knowne  by  the  name  of  Boscobell  with 
thappurtenaunces  scituate  or  beinge  within  the  saide  County  of  Salop    And  likewise  All 


Brewode  Priory. 


221 


that  G-raunge  Ferme  or  tenement  called  Necholls  with  thappurtenaunees  scituate  or  heinge 
in  ye  parishes  of  Tonge  arid  Donnington  in  the  said  County  of  Salope  And  all  the  howses 
buildings  barnes  stubles  Courts  backsides  gardens  orchards  dovecotes  hoppyarde  lands 
mesidowes  leasowes  pastures  feedings  waters  ponds  fishpooles  profitts  Commodityes  services 
Rents  quitrents  Reversions  and  all  and  singular  other  the  hereditaments  with  their  and 
every  of  their  appurtenaunces  vnto  ye  said  Maiinor  or  dissolved  Monastery  Priory  Nunnery 
house  or  Church  Graunge  Farme  or  tenement  in  any  wise  belonginge  or  appertayninge  or 
now  or  late  vsed  occupied  or  injoyed  with  ye  same  or  is  knowne  reputed  or  taken  to  be  part 
or  parcell  thereof  for  and  duringe  the  naturall  life  of  him  ye  said  John  Gyffard  without  the 
let  molestacon  disturbance  hinderaunce  or  denyall  of  him  the  saide  John  &c.  &c. 


Brewode  Priory.  Dissolution  of  Monasteries.  White  Ladys. 

BREWODE  PRIORY. 
Hereafter  ensueth  the  names  of  all  and  every  suche  Person  and  Persons  as  was  by 
Thomas  Bigg  Doctor  in  the  Lawe  and  William  Cavendyshe  Auditors  Commissioners 
appoynted  by  the  kyng  our  Soveraigne  Lorde  for  the  dysolucon  of  these  Monasteryes 
followeng  by  them  indiferently  chosen  and  sworne  of  and  for  the  valuyng  and  ratyng  and 
appresyng  of  all  and  singlor  the  Gooddes  and  Chatells  cumyng  and  being  found  at  the 
Surrenders  taken  in  the  same  late  dysolyed  Monasteries  and  priories  within  the  Countie 
of  Stafford  the  names  as  well  of  the  seyd  Howses  as  of  the  Persons  so  sworne  foloweng 
hereunder  wryghten  in  order. 

That  ys  to  say 


Brewode 


John  Browne 
William  Barnes 
Henry  Halt 
|    Thomas  Wills 


Jur 


Richard  Wayt 
John  Baker 
William  Turner 
William  Atwill 


Jur 


John  Shyrborne 
Jhones  Clarke 
Anthony  Palmer 
George  Wilkayns 


Jur 


(Hereafter  folowyth  all  suche  parcells  of  implements  or 
houshold  Stuff  Come  Catel  Ornements  of  the  Church  and 
such  other  lyke  founde  within  the  late  priory  ther  at  the  tyme 
of  the  dissolucon  of  the  same  House  Solde  by  the  kyngs 
Commisioners  to  Thomas  Gyfforde  Esquire. 

The         f  Fryst  one  Table  of   Alebaster   owlde  formes  and  Settes  2  \ 
Churche     1  Partici°ns  of  Carvyd  Woodepavyng  of  the  Church  and  Cjuere  ]■  20s. 

(28  panes  of  Glas  and  one  masboke  j 

Item  2  payr  of  grene  Dornyx  Westments  1  olde   Cope  of  I 
Sendall  one  Serples  1  Altercloth  and  1  Towell  1  litell  Bell  4s. 

and  a  Sensure  of  latynne | 

Item  3  panys  of  Glasse  and  2  long  Formes  soulde  for 


The 
Vestrye 

The 
Chapter 
House 

Bells  in  the 
Stepull 

The  Hale 

The 
Parlore 


The  Cheffe 
Chamber 


The  Baylyffs 
Chamber 

The 
Buttery 


]  Item  ther  Remeyneth  unsolde  in  the  Stepul  3  Bells. 

I  Item  there  2  Tabulls  and  a  Forme  soulde  for 

J  Item    1    foldyng    Tabull    1     forme   1    chayre 


1 2d. 


i2d. 


I 

1   Cubborde) 
(  and  the  hangyngs  of  payntyd  Clothe  ) 

Item  one  fetherbedd  2  oulde  Coverletts  1  oulde  blankett*\ 
1  Tester  of  whyght  Lynen  Clothe  2  bedstedds  2  formes  1  f 
Cobborde  one  Joynt  Cheyre  2  oulde  Coffers  1  Boulster  2  C 
pyllowis  and  4  payre  of  Shetts ) 

j  Item  one  mattres  1  coverlet  one  blanket  and  one  axe J-        xad. 


{Item  2  ale  tubbs  1  oulde  chest  1  borde  1  table  clothe  and  2  ) 
candle  stykys  of  latten J 

I  Item  2  dressyng  bordes  2  stoles  1  forme  1  ladder  1  (blank)  of  I 
The  Kechyn    salt  4  porrengers  of  peuter  4  platters  2  saucers  and  2  bras- 
I  pottes I 

The   Larder  |  Item  one  great  chest  1  troffe  and  2  little  barrels | 

The  brew-    I  Item  5  tubbs  1  Keler  1  olde  tubbe  1  olde  table  1  olde  whete ") 
house        \and  one  chese  presse    ) 

housed"8  { Item  3  colyn8  ledes  2  brasse  pannes  and  7  olde  tables >• 


i2d. 


6d. 
i6d. 


222 


Brewode  Priory. 


The 

Boultyng 

house 

The  Ches- 
lofte 

The         j 
Kylhouse     ( 

Grayne      j 

Catell        | 

Waynes      | 

Heye        | 

Plate        ( 
soulde      \ 

Recevved    "1  Item  Reseyved  0:f  an  olde  dett  dwe  to  ye  seid  late  Priorye 


Item  3  troffes  i  watering  fate  i  boultyng  Huche,  one  bushell 
and  2  tables  soulde  for 

Item  2  little  tubbes  2  cheese  rakkes  2  charnes  i  lytell  whele 

and  2  shelves  

Item  i  Hercloth  and  i  ladder  hangyng  upon  the  Walle  of  ye 
seid  house 

Item  one  Quarter  of  Whete  6s.  2d.  quarter  of  Monck  Corne 
8s.  one  Quarter  of  Ottes  2od.  a  Quarter  of  pese  2S.  8d.  in  all... 

Item  one  horse  4s.  soulde  to  the  seid  Thomas    .a 

Item  1  wayne  and  1  Dungcarte  sould  for  

Item  for  10  lode  of  Hey    

Item  soulde  to  George  Warren  1  Chales  and  3  sponnys  all 
whytt  weing  8  ounces  at  3s.  4d.  the  ounc 


Rewardes 
gyvene  to 
the  late 
Abbes  and 
the  Convent 
ther  at  yer 
Departure 

Rewardes 

gyvene  to 

the  Servants 

ther  at  theyr 

lyke 
Departure 


The  Sume  totall  of  all  the  Guddis  of  thys  seid  late 
Priory  with  26s.  8d.  for  Dettreceyvyd  and  26s.  8d. 
for  Plate 


Fyrst  to  Isabel  Launder  40s. 

Item  to  Cristabell  Smith 20s. 

Item  to  Alice  Beche   20s. 

Item  to  Felix  Baggshawe 20s. 


Item  to  William  Parker  Chapelen 30s.        \ 

Item  to  Robert  Baker    13s.  4d. 

Item  to  Margarett  Burre  2s. 

Item  to  Thomas  Bolde  3s. 

Item  to  William  Morre 2s.  6d. 

Item  to  Thomas  Smith 10s. 

Item  to  Keteryn  Slate    13s.  4d. 

Item  to  Phillip  Duffelde    4s. 

Item  in  Cates  boughte  and  spent  at  the  tyme  of  the 
Comissioners  being  there  for  the  Dissolucon  of  the  said  late 
Priory  and  for  the  saffe.kepyng  of  the  Gudds  and  Catell  there 
founde  duryng  the  said  tyme 


8d. 

nd. 

18s.  4d.  ex 
43. 

i6d. 

15s. 

26s.  8d. 

26s.  8d. 
£7  6s.  id. 


I  The  Sum  of  the  payments  aforeseid  is  | 

And  so  remayneth  in  the  seid  Com[m]issioners  handes  for  1 
they  have  payd  more  then  they  for  the  Goodes  of  the  seid  I 
late  Priory  have  receyd  by ' 

Memorandum  that  the  Prioress  of  the  seid  late  Priory 
hath  receyveyd  of  Michaelmas  qrth  rents  due  to  the  seyd 
Priory  thes  parcells  folowyng  And  none  other  as  sche  sayth. 

Fyrst  of  Mr.  Thomas  Gyfford  for  blythebery  for  halfe  a  yere  .... 

Item  of  Mr.  Thomas  Moreton  for  le  feldes  for  half  a  year 

Item  of  T     Tunks  for  the  Rents  of  hys  farme  for  halfe  a  yere... 

Item  of  John  Penford  for  half  a  yeres  Rent 

Item  of  Thomas  Pitt  for  a  hole  yeres  rent    

Item  of  Cristofer  Alatte  for  one  quarters  rente 

Summa  £4  3s.  4d. 

Memorandum  that  ther  ys  owyng  to  the  said  late  Priory  of 
Michaelmas  rente  by  the  Confession  of  the  foreseid  theis 
parcells. 

Fyrst  of  Barnaby  Clarke  for  3  yeres  quietrente 

Item  of  the  Balyff  of  Tonge  for  1  yeres  rente 

Item  of  William  Wydowes  for  1  yeres  rente  , 


78s.  2d. 


60s. 

£11  18s.  2d. 
£4  12s.  id. 


33S.  4d- 

26s.  8d. 

6s.  8d. 

8s. 

2S. 

6s.  8d. 


18s. 

2S. 

I2d. 


Sir  Arthur  Vernon's  Will.  223 

Item  of  the  Lordshype  of  Brome  for  i  quarters  rente as. 

Item  of  Richard  Gowgh  for  halfe  a  yeres  rente 8d. 

Item  of  Mathew  Parker  for  halfe  a  yeres  rente isd. 

Item  of  John  Staunton  for  halfe  a  yeres  quietrente 6d. 

Item  of  Blakeman  for  halfe  a  yeres  rente i2d. 

Item  of  Whytemore  for  2  yere 6d. 

Item  of  Thomas  Johnson  for  halfe  a  yeres  rente 3d.  ob. 

Item  of  the  Churchwardens  of  Brewode  for  3  yeres  rente 3d. 

Item  of  Robert  Bromhall  for  halfe  a  yeres  rente  4d. 

Summa  34s.  ad.  ob, 

Pencions    and   Porcions   grauntyd    and   allotted   to   the  late 
Prioresse  and  Convent  there  by  the  seid  Commissioners. 

Fyrst  to  Isabell  Launder  late  Prioresse 66s.  8d. 


Item  to  Cristabell  Smyth 33s 

Item  to  Alys  Beche : 33s 

Item  to  Felix  Baggeshawe 33s.  4d. 


.  »d.  "k 
.  4d.  I 

■  4d.  f 
.  4d.J 


£8  6s.  8d. 


[British  Museum.    Additional  MS.  6714,  f.  183;  and  Additional  MS.  6698,  f.  248b.X 


Sir  Arthur  Vernon's  Will. 

Prerogative  Court  of  Canterbury. 

Book,  Holder.,  folio  35,  b.. 
Testamentum  Domini..  In  the  name  of  God  amen. 

Arthuri  Vernon,  In  the  yere  of  our  Lord  mt  vc  and  xvij.    The  last  day 

of  Septembre, 
In  the  yere  of  the  Reign  of  Kyng  Henry  the  viijth  the  viijth  yere.  I  Sir  Arthur  Vernon 
prest  hole  of  mynde  and  of  body  being  in  clene  iyfe  at  the  making  of  this  my  last  will  and' 
in  good  prosperitie  often  tymes  thinking  of  this  wreched  lyfe  seyng  by  circure  of  daies  and 
revolucion  of  yeres  the  day  of  deth  to  fall  which  nothing  lyving  may  passe  therfor  of  this 
helefull  mynde  thus- 1  make  my  testament.  First  I  bequeth  my  soule  to  god  almighty  and 
to  all  the  holy  company  of  hevyn  and  to  the  blissed  saint  Petyr  and  saint  Mighel  and  to 
be  defended  ayenst  all  wyked  spirits.  Item  I  bequeth  my  body  to  be  buried  in  the  same- 
pisshe  church  where  I  dye  and  to  have  a  stone  what  inyn  executours  thinke  best  for  me 
and  my  picture  drawen  therupon  and  for  making  ofjmy  stone  I  bequeth  xxxs.  and  for  asmoche- 
as  with  good  prayers  and  almes  dedes  the  soule  is  delivered  fro  everlasting  deth  and  payne 
therfor  I  will  that  at  the  day  of 'my  burying  I  may  have  a  trentall.  songe  for  my  soule  my 
fadre  soule  my  moder  soule  and  for  all  my  brethern  and  sustern  soules  and  for  all  xpen  soules 
yt  it  may  be.  And  of  this  my  testament  aforewriten  and  after  to  be  truely  doon  I  ordeyn. 
constitue  and  make  my  true  executours  my  brother  John  Vernon  Rauf  Gilbert  and 
Thomas  Wagstaff  my  servants  the  which  executours  all  thinges  afcrewrken  and  after 
shewed  truely  to  be  executed  after  myn  entent  in  this  my  wille  shewed  as  they  will  answere 
afore  the  high  Juge  at  the  dredfull  day  of  Dome.  Item  i  will  that  at  the  day  of  my  burying 
ev'y  poren  man  that  cometh  have  a  peny  and  a  loffe  to  pray  for  my  soule  and  the  soules 
afore  rehersed  yf  it  may  be  at  that  tyme  and  yf  not  therefore  to  tarye  unto  the  tyme 
convenient.  And  yf  my  goods  will  not  reche  to  that  I  will  that  myn  executours  do  as 
they  thinke  most  best  for  me..  Also  that  I  have  Torches  and  Candelles  about  myn  herse 
the  day  my  burying  as  myh  executours  thinke  necessary  for  me.  Item  to  ev'y  preest  that 
comyth  to  my  burying  and  saith  masse  for  my  soule  and  the  soules  afore  rehersed  shal- 
have  iiijd  ev'y  clerk  id..  Item. I  will  that  at  my  moneth  mynd  there  be  songe  a  trentalC 
for  my  soule  and  the  soules  atore  rehersed  and  for  asmoche  as  this  my  will  may  be  taken 
doubtfull  in  many  poynts  therfore  I  will  that  yf  any  ambiguite  contrariositie  or  mys- 
reheraall  cr  doubtfulnes  be  foundenin  this  my  last  will  I  wille  therefore  that  itbecorrecte 
by  one  or  ij  ot  myn  executours  also  my  reyment  I  will  that  it  be  evynly  devided  betwixt 
Raut  Gilbert  and  Thomas  Wagstaffe  my  servants  and  also  yf  they  be  good  of  demenure 
toward  my  brother  John  I  will  that  they  have  xlj/i".  evynly  devided  betwene  them  and 
their  wages  to  be  content  in  the  said  sume  aforewriten.  And  yt  the  be  not  of  good  demenure 
1  will  that  they  be  at  my  brother  John  Vernon  limitacion..  Also  all  my  good  not  bequethect 
my  will  perfourmed  I  will  my  brother  John  Vernon  have  tbenu  Also  the  Reversion 
which  I  had  besett  me  by  mv  fader  bequest  I  will  my  brother-John  Vernon  have  it.  Item 
I  will  that  my  brother  John  Vernon  have  all  my  naprye  ware  and  also  all  mv  beddinge  and' 
my  boks  wtthe  chests  and  coffers.  Item  I  will  that  Robert  Neyll  have  for  paying  of  subsidies 
and  Dymes  and  other  dueties  which  I  have  cawscd  him  to  pave  xlj/t  and  to  I 
of  him  for  it.     Wrfl  mil  yere  aforsaid.    These  beign  witnesse  Sir  Roger  Lyne 

maister  Harry  Bullock  maist'  Harvy  Sir  Thomas  Rowsoa  and  maister  Browne    Item.  L 


224     Church  Goods — Henry  VII.  to  Sir  Henry  Vernon. 

will  that  rny  Skarlet  gown  and  my  murrey  gowne  and  my  Jaket  of  velvet  may  paye  suche 
dettes  to  the  Church  of  Scheie  and  of  Bogeston  yf  there  be  any  asked  as  owght  to  be 
And  all  other  stuffe  of  silk  or  velvet  I  will  my  brother  John  Vernon  have  it.  Item  I  will 
that  all  rny  linnen  clothes  my  brother  John  Vernon  have  them  and  all  my  plate  of  silver 
Also  i  will  that  x  marcs  be  distributed  for  to  pray  for  my  soule  and  the  soules  afore 
rehersed  that  it  be  distributed  in  the  parishe  of  Scheie. 


Church  Goods  at  the  Dissolution. 
donyngton. 

This  byll  indented  mad  the  xvijth  day  of  May  in  the  seventh  yere  of  the  Raigne  of  o» 
most  dread  sov'aign  lorde  Kyng  Edward  the  syxth  betwyxt  Andrewe  Corbett  Rycc 
Manweryng  Knyghtes  Rycc  Cornwall  &  Rycc  Newport  esquires  on  thon  ptie  &  Rycc  Hyll 
pson  Thomas  Boscoke  &  John  Dossett  church  wardens  on  thother  ptie  wittnessitn  that  we 
the  sayd  Rychard  Thomas  &  John  do  bynd  or  selves  by  these  p'sentes  to  save  kepe 
unstollen  unsold  &  unembesellyed  one  chalys  of  sylv'  withe  pattent  there  unto  ij  smale 
bell[s]  nowe  remaynynge  within  the  church  &  steple  of  Donygto'  as  we  wyll  answere 
therefor    In  wyttnese  wherof  we  have  putte  or  handes  the  day  St.  ,>ere  above  sayd. 

Rychard  Hyll        Thomas  Bosschock. 


Church  Goods,  Salop. 

TONGGE, 
Thes  byll  Indentyd  made  the  xxvth  of  Maie  in  the  vijth  yer  of  the  reygne  of  our  moste 
dreade  Sov'aygne  lorde  Kyng  Edward  the  syxte  betwyxt  Andrewe  Corbett  Rychard 
Cornewaylle  &  Rychard  Newport  on  thon  ptyee  &  Rottt  Foster  Roger  Wysston  &  Henrye 
Harryson  on  the  other  ptyee  vvyttnessythe  that  wee  the  sayd  Robt  Roger  &  Henrye  do  by 
these  p  sens  confesse  &  bynd  our  selvys  to  saive  &  kepe  unstollen  unsolde  &  unembessallyd 
three  bellys  att  these  p'sens  remaynyng  wythin  the  steeple  of  Tonnge  &  in  wytnes  heroff 
wee  have  putte  our  handes  the  yeer  &  dey  above  seyd. 

Robert  Forster, 


Henry  VII.  to  [Sir]  He  [nry  Verno]n,  knight. 

1492,  April  13.  Sheen. — "  Trusty  and  right  welbeloved  we  grete  you  wele,  ascertaynyng 
you  that  for  the  singulier  trust  that  we  have  in  your  approved  trouth  and  wisedom,  we 
have  appoincted  you  to  be  Comptroller  of  houshold  with  our  derest  son  the  Prince, 
entending  by  Goddes  grace  that  he  shal  procede  to  the  begynnyng  of  the  same  the  vij.  day 
of  May  next  commyng.  Wherfor  we  pray  you  that  ye  wilfully  dispose  you  to  take  uppon 
you  the  said  rowme  and  auctoririe,  and  to  yeve  your  attendance  in  be  begynnyng  of  the 
said  housholde  for  the  good  ordering  and  establisshing  of  the  same,  desiring  you  that 
somwhat  bifor  the  said  tyme  ye  wol  addresse  you  unto  us  to  thentent  that  uppon  con- 
vercacion  we  may  shewe  unto  you  our  rninde  concernyng  the  premissez  more  at  large,  not 
failling  herof  in  any  wise,  as  we  specially  truste  you.  Yeven  under  our  signet  at  our 
manoir  ot  Shene  the  xiij  day  of  April  the  seventhe  yer  of  oure  reigne."'    Sign  manual* 


Henry  VII.  to  Sir  Henry  Vernon,  knight. 

[1492-?]  April  26.  Greenwich.. — "  Trusty  and  welbeloved  we  grete  you  wel,  lating  you 
write  that  as  wel  by  our  espies  that  we  have  in  the  parties  beyond  the  see,  as  othrewise,, 
we  undrestande  that  our  ennemyes  of  Fraunce  prepaire  theymsilt  to  do  all  the  hurt  and 
annoyance  that  they  can  compasse  and  devise  to  this  our  reame  and  subgiettes  of  the 
same,  for  the  [resisting  and  subduyimg  of  whoes  malicious  purpos  we  shal,  with  Goddes 
grace  suffisantly  provide  and  putte  us  with  a  good  multitude  of  our  subgiettes  in  defensible 
redinesse  for  the  same  entent,  which  can  in  noo  wise  be  doon  without  grete  substance  of 
good.  Wherfor  we  holding  for  undoubted  that  ye  here  a  singulier  tendrenesse  to  suche 
thinges  as  concerne  the  suxetie  and  universal  weale  and  tranquillite  of  our  saide  reame  and 
subgiettes  desire  and  hertily  praye  yuu  that  ye  wil  lene  unto  us  the  somme  of  an  c^,  and 
to  sende  it  unto  oure  Tresourer  of  England  by  some  trusty  servauntes  of  yours  to  thentent 
that  theye  maye  recyve  bills  of  hym  for  contentaccion  therof  ayen..  And  we  feithfully 
promitte  you  by  these  oure  lettres  that  ye  shal  have  repayment  or  suffisant  assignment 
upon  the  half  quinzame  payable  at  MartUmasse  next  commyng,  whefunto  ye  maye 
vesraily  truste,  wherin  ye  shal  not  ocnly  doo  unto  us  thing  of  [grete  ?  J  and  singulier  plteasir,, 
but  also  cause  us  to  have  you  therfor  moore  specially  recommended  in  the  [ho]nor  of oure 
grace  in  such  thinges  as  ye  shal  have  to  poursue  unto  us  henaftre.  Ycven  undre  our  signet 
at  our  manoir  at  Grenewiche  tlie  xxvj  day  of  April."'   Sign  manual. 


Henry  VII.  to  Sir  Henry  Vernon.  225 

Henry  VII.  to  Sir  Henry  Vernon,  knight  for  his  body, 
Controller  with  the  Prince. 

1492,  August  31.  Windsor.— "  Trusty  and  welbeloved  we  grete  you  wel.  And  inasmoche 
as  we  have  appointed  you  to  be  Comptrollour  of  houshold  with  oure  derrest  son  the 
Prince,  and  that  we  departe  in  all  hast  on  oure  voyage  over  the  see,  we  therfor  desire  and 
praye  you  that  ye  wol  geve  your  personall  attendance  uppon  our  said  derrest  son  for  the 
tyme  we  shalbe  out  of  this  oure  reame,  and  that  ye  faille  not  herof,  as  we  truste  you. 
Yeven  undre  our  signet  at  our  Castel  of  Windesor  the  last  day  of  August,  the  viijth  yer  of 
our  regne."    Sign  manual.    Signet 


Henry  VII.  to  Sir  Henry  Vernon,  Controller  of  the 
Household  of  the  Prince. 

[1494  ?]  June  2  Sheen.—"  Trusty  and  welbiloved  we  grete  you  wele.  And  for  the  true 
and  acceptable  service  that  ye  have  doon  to  our  derrest  son  the  Prince  we  can  you  special 
thanke,  and  considre  wele  that  by  your  wise  and  poletike  meanes  his  houshold  is  the 
better  conducted  and  governed,  which  is  greatly  to  your  laude  a  praise.  And  therfore  we 
pray  you  to  dispose  you  to  contynue  and  yeve  your  personal  attendance  there  at  such 
seasons  as  the  counsail  of  our  said  son  shal  thinke  necessarie  and  expedient,  for  then- 
creace  of  your  said  thanke.  And  elles  we  must  of  urgent  necessite  appointe  oon  of  our 
hede  officers  to  exercise  your  saide  rowme,  and  calle  you  to  serve  us  in  his  stede.  Yeven 
undre  our  signet  at  our  manoir  of  Shene  the  secund  day  of  Juyn."    Sign  manual. 


Henry  VII.  to  Sir  Henry  Vernon,  one  of  the  knights  for 
his  body,  and  Treasurer  of  Household  with  the  Prince. 

N.Y.  March  2.  London.— "  Trusty  and  welbeloved  we  grete  you  wele.  And  for  certain 
causes  and  matiers  concernyng  as  wele  our  derrest  sonne  the  Prince  as  youreself,  we  wol 
and  desire  you  to  comme  unto  us  some  day  this  Lent  tyme,  and  that  ye  ne  faille  [so]  to 
doo  in  any  wise,  as  we  trust  you.  Yeven  undre  our  signet  at  oure  Citie  of  London  the 
ijde  day  of  Marche."    Sign  manual. 


The  Townsmen  of  Walsall  to  Sir  Henry  Vernon. 

N.Y.  January  18.— We  have  a  chaplain  and  true  bedeman  of  yours  amongst  us,  whose 
name  is  Sir  John  Staple.  We  hear  that  you  intend  to  take  him  away  from  us.  He  has 
always  been  ready  to  maintain  the  service  of  God.  He  has  caused  charity  amongst  the 
people,  where  else  there  would  have  been  much  discord  and  debate.  He  has  kept  a  school, 
and  taught  the  poor  children  of  the  town  of  his  charity,  taking  nothing  for  his  labour. 
He  has  done  many  more  good  deeds,  specially  to  the  poor  people.  That  he  should  thus 
depart  were  the  greatest  loss  to  the  poor  town  of  Walsall  that  it  has  ever  had  by  the 
departure  of  any  priest.  If  you  will  suffer  him  to  continue  with  us,  you  shall  have  the 
prayers  of  him  and  of  us  all.  "  Wryttan  [at]  Walsale  the  morou  next  after  Scent  Antonyys 
day  be  the  cowencelles  of  the  mere  masters  of  the  yeld  (guild)  and  the  xxiiijti  with  all  the 
best  of  the  commyns  asemblede  at  the  same  tyme,  and  selyd  with  the  commyn  seall  o 
the  towene.' 


Henry  VII.  to  Sir  Vernon,  knight  for  his  body. 

[1503,]  May  6.  Richmond.— "Trusty  and  welbiloved  we  grete  you  wele.  And  forso- 
mouche  as  according  to  the  treatie  and  convencion  passed  bitwene  us  and  oure  derrest 
sonne  the  King  of  Scottes,  and  of  late  at  his  special  desir  and  instance,  we  have  ordeyned 
and  determyned  oure  moost  dere  doughter  the  Quene  of  Scottes  to  be  delivered  into 
Scotland  for  her  traduccion  and  the  solempnisacion  of  matrimony  betwixte  the  said  King 
and  hir  by  the  furst  day  of  August  next  commyng,  We  willing  as  wel  for  the  perfourmance 
of  oure  promyse  made  in  that  behalve,  as  also  for  the  honnourofus  and  this  oure  realme  oure 
said  doughter  to  bee  honorably  accompanyed  as  in  like  caas  it  hath  been  hertofor  accustumed 
not  oonly  for  hir  conveyance  thoroughoute  oure  said  reame  and  at  hir  entree  into  Scot- 
land, but  also  during  the  feest  and  solempnisacion  of  the  said  mariage,  have  appoincted 
you  amonges  othre  nobles  and  estates  to  yeve  youre  attendance  upon  nir  at  hir  commyng 
to  oure  Citie  of  Yorke,  and  from  thens  to  contynue  the  same  til  the  said  mariage  and  feest 
bee  doon  and  finisshed.  Thefor  we  wol  and  desire  you  to  prepaire  youre  self  for  this 
entent  with  as  smal  a  nombre  as  ye  shal  thinke  convenient,  soo  that  ye  maye  bee  in 


226 


Miss  Lane  to  the  Queen. 


arredinesse  to  entre  into  your  said  attendance  upon  oure  said  doughter  at  hir  commyng 
to  Yorke  forsaid,  withoute  any  youre  failing  as  ye  tender  the  honnour  of  us  and  of  this  our 
reame.  Over  this  insomoche  as  it  is  thought  unto  us  and  oure  counsaill  inconvenient  and 
not  mete  that  any  mornyng  or  sorofull  clcthinges  shuld  be  woran  or  used  at  suche  noble 
triumphes  of  mariage,  We  therfor  wol  and  desire  you  tattende  upon  oure  saide 
doughter  in  youre  best  arraye  as  in  suche  caas  it  apperteigneth.  Yeven  undre  our  signet 
at  oure  manouur  of  Richemounte  the  vjth  day  of  May."  Sign  manual.  Fragment  of 
signet. 


Miss  Lane  to  the  Queen. 

I  was  infinitly  glad  to  have  the  honour  to  reseave  a  letter  from  your  Mati«  for  it  was 
reported  here  that  you  ware  not  well  and  indeed  I  was  in  much  pane  till  I  heard  from  my 
cosen  Broughton,  God  be  praysed  the  King  is  well  out  the  Duke  is  in  phisick  still  and  soe 
is  the  Duches  she  is  very  gratious  to  me  but  I  doe  not  goe  oft  up  to  wait  on  her.  The 
King  has  now  given  order  for  the  setling  of  a  thousand  pounds  a  yeare  upon  me  I  am  very 
much  bound  to  his  matie  for  his  gratious  favour  to  me  I  hope  in  time  he  will  doe  what  is  fit 
for  maties  to  expect  from  it  tys  the  opinion  of  many  heare  that  your  matie  should  com  into 
England  without  an  invitation  but  I  confes  I  cannot  tell  how  to  advise  your  matie  in  this 
point  I  think  your  matie  the  best  iudg  on  it  your  selfe  what  is  most  proper  for  you  to  do,  if 
I  may  be  so  happie  as  to  know  when  your  matie  will  come  I  will  not  fade  to  paye  i 
in  waiting  of  your  matie  for  noe  soule  a  live  is  more 

Your  mat'e»  most  obedient  most  humble  servant 


paye  my  duty 


J.  LANE.. 


South 


East 


O 


G 

DII3         15 


9        C 


»  16 


17       19 


a    soH 

o 


West 


3 


1  INSCRIPTION 

North 


JStaKLBYToMB  :  £>MTELDS. 

See  Page  67 


ADDENDA,     ERRATA,    &c. 

Page  15. — Lieut,-Col.  should  be  Col. 

Page  45. — Last  line — aucerlis  should  be  Saucerlis. 

Page  88.— The  *  and  f  Notes  should  be  on  page  87. 

Page  108.— Page  60  should  be  83. 

Page  132. — Thomas  Row  should  be  How. 

Page  133.— Ati*  should  be  ali(a)s, 

Page  142. — Idd's  hall  should  be  Ida's  hall. 

Page  143. — Line  11,  where  not  when. 

Page  163. — Dorothy  Giffard,  1634  not  634. 

Page  179.—  The  *note  is  on  page  180. 

Eage  180. — The  second  *  note  refers  to  Col.  Carlis. 

Page  182.— King  Charles  II.  advanced  Lord  Newport  to  a  Viscountcy 
in  1675  ;  the  Earldom  of  Bradford  was  given  by  William  and  Mary  in 
1694. 

Page  206.— Lech  should  be  Gech. 

Page  206. — Peshali  should  be  Peshal. 

Page  208. — The  additional  notes  as  to  the  Nunneries  were  subsequently 
printed.     See  pages  209  and  210. 

Page  213. — The  note  (a)  to  Robt  de  Pennebrugge  deed  should  have  been 
a  footnote,  not  to  have  been  printed  as  part  of  the  deed. 

Page  214— Note  (a)  1409,  not  1499. 

The  View  of  the  Pulpit  (page  26)  shews  position  it  occupied  before  the 
Restoration  in  1892. 

The  View  of  Stanley  Tomb  (page  20)  shews  position  it  occupied  before 
the  Restoration  in  1892. 

Richard  de  Pembruge,    *".*.,   Sir   Richard  de  Vernon,   the 
Speaker. 


GA5)  CAS)  £A5)  GA9  £A£) 
GYS  (5/c)  GT3  GYd  GYS 


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6YS 


GYdGYd 


A  &L  >i>,  >1>  >fc  >xfc  3*£  M<  >H  >H  ftfc  £j£  >te  ^  jk?. 


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INDEX. 


Rage 

Abertanat 17 

Acorn  Lodge  140 

Acreage 5 

iEolian  Harp 160 

Albrighton   51,  136,  139,  195 

Alderton   131 

Alditha 196 

Ale  and  Alehouses 105,  115,  128,  152 

Almshouses    25,  95,  116 

Altar 55,  85 

Ambling  Meadows  132,  147 

Andrews,  Bemjamin   150,  151 

Ankerwicke 190 

Appuldercombe,  Heiress  of 16 

Aqualate  189 

Architectural  Details.. .22,  23,  26,  30,  43, 
47.  53.  54.  57.  66,  73,  77,  78,  96,  108,  109, 

no,  156,  157,  200 

Armour  40,  41,  48,  58,  6o,  65 

Arms...  33,  34,  36,45.  46,  47.  48,  54  63,  66, 

67,  80,  86,  87,  115,  130,  156,  157,  159,  160 
Arms,  Shields  of — 

Bermingham  34,  36 

Camville 46,48,  55 

Childe  86,  87 

DdlaBere  78 

Doyle 86 

Dureversale 45 

Durant  89 

English 86 

Fitzalan    78 

Forester 14 

Forster 130 

Harries 80 

Isle  of  Man 67 

Latham 67 

Lingein,  Lingayne,  or  Lingaine   34,78 

Ludlow 34,  37,  45,  55,  63,  67,  78 

Ouldbeif 86,  87 

Peche  or  Peeke 87 

Pembruge  ...  34,  36,  37,  45,  48,  54,  55,  67,  78 

Peter  de  Sancerlis    45 

Pype    «... 45.  48,  55.  59.  67,  78 

Reymes  or  Rheims  54 

Royal 25 

Skeffington 86,  87 

Stanley 67 

Strange 67 

Talbot  48,54 

Trumpington 55 

Trussel 34,  78 

Vernon...  33,  34, 36, 45, 47,  48,  54,  55,  59, 

63,  67,  78 

Warren 67 

Willoughby  of  Middleton  79 

Willoughby  of  Parham   79 

Wylde   80 

Umfreville  67 

Unknown    46,  47, 67,  80,  86,  87,  92 

Arthur  Tudor,  Prince  ...  47,  48,  49,  56,  99,  224 


Page 

Arundel   9,176,177,217 

Aston,  Roger  de 214 

Audley  Barons  71 

Aumbry    57 

Babyn,  John  29 

Baddeley,  John  151 

Bagot,  John 195 

Bagots  Park 190 

Bailifie  of  Tong 206,  222 

Bakewell 12,  59 

Barbour,  Richard 218 

Barretors  or  Scolds 128 

Beaufoy 89,  155 

Bedall,  Roger 148 

Beighterton,  or  Betterton 145 

Belfry, 29,  73.  99.  224 

Belle  Isle 159 

Bells,  Bell-founders,  and  Ringers  ...  101, 

102,  103,  224 

Bell,   "The  Great"  22,49,99,100,103 

Belmeis  or  Beaumes,  Alice  de 10 

„  Bishop  de 2, 135 

„  Philip  de    10 

„  Ranulph  de  10 

„  Richard  del.   ...  10,20 

„  Richard  de  II 10 

„  William  de   10 

„  „  William  de  alias  La 

Zouche 2, 10 

,,  „  Robert  de  Belesme    10 

„  „  Hughde 196,213 

„  „  John  de  197 

Benet,  Joy 215 

Bennett,  George 218 

Bentley 180 

Bermingham,  Matilda  de 12 

Berestord,  Jas ~ 152 

Bishops  10,  11,  166,  195,  198 

Bishop's  Marks 56,76 

Bishop's  Wood  10,  139.  140.  *95 

Black  Ladies...  125, 139.  199.  200,  201,  205,  210 

Blodwell   16,  17 

Blount,  Thos 178 

Blymhill  128,  132, 195 

Bobbington  Church 216 

Boden 19 

Body-ring  (iron) 114 

Bordesley  Abbey  J48 

Boscobel 144-  178,203 

Bosschock,  Thos 223 

Botfield,  Mr 97,  i°6,  144,  178,  192,  203 

Boundary 132,  134.  J35,  136,  151 

Bourne,  W 152 

Bradford,  Countess  of. 13,  *4.  WW 

Earls  of. 12,  13,  16,  23,  52, 

100, 140,  147,  151,  153.  182,  184 

Bradley,  Miss 177.180 

Braose  de " 

Brasses 43.  45.  55,  84,  85,  86,  87,  96 

Brewers  Oak  189 


Index. — continued. 


229 


Page 
Brewood,  Brewdc.io,  II,  i«,  136, 145,194, 

196,  205,  219 

Brewood  Forest 99, 139, 140, 178,  189, 

195  209,  210 

Bridgeman,  Lady  Anne  16 

Bishop   13,  18 

„  Hon.  Beatrice  Adine    15 

,,  Lady  Florence  K 15 

Hon.  Florence  Sibell  15 

Col.  Hon.  F.  C,  M. P.. ..15,  19,  153 

Frederick  Paul   15 

„  Hon.  and  Rev.   Canon...  39,  130 

Hon.  Mrs.  F.  C 15 

„  Hon.  Helena  Mary  15 

„  Hon.  Henry  George  0 15 

„  Humphrey  H.  0 15 

„  Lady  Mabel  Selina  15 

„  Hon.  Margaret  Alice    15 

„  Hon.  Orlando 15 

„  Sir  Orlando  13,  17,  18 

Hon.  Richard  O.  B 15 

,,  Reginald  Francis  15 

„  Selina  Adine   15 

Brid,  John    212 

Bristol,  Marchioness  of 14 

Brockhurst  189 

Brodmore  145 

Brokes,  John 216 

Bryery  Hurst   132,  140 

Buccleuch,  Duke  of 15 

Buckeridge,  Chas.  Thos.  Margtta.  Eliz.... 

19  94, 96, 163 

Bullock,  Harry  223 

Buckingham,  Duke  of 175,  176 

Buildwas  Abbey 10 

Burials 162,  163 

Burlington  7,133,141 

Burnal,  Lord  of 72 

Bush  Inn 153 

Butters  Brook 151 

Bysshop,  John    213 

Calais,  Treasurer  of 37 

Camp  of  Refuge 9 

Camville   46,  48 

Cannock    196 

Cannon  Ball  Marks 105 

Carnac,  C.  R 19 

Carved  Stone  (early)   

Carr,  Rev.  Canon 191,  192 

Castle  Bromwich  16 

Castle,  Tong  ...    II,  49,  50,  83,  90,  91,  137,  153 

Celcilia 196 

Celerer  124. 

Chairs,  Old  Oak 85 

Challenor,  Robert 217 

Champions  149 

The  King's  59,60 

Chapel,  The  Lady 23,  36,  55,  57,  73 

!„        Golden... 36,  53,  2 

Chaplet  of  Roses II,  32,  147 

Charities  83,  97 

Charles  I Frontispiece,  93,  174,  175,  182 

Charles  II. ....81,  89,  114,  137,  141,  178,  181, 

183,  186,  201 

Charlett,  Mr 187 

Chilie,  Mrs.  Baldwyn 192 

Chillington 179,  195,  209,  210 

Chur  Screen 73,  76 

1,      Stalls 74,  75  76 

Christian,  H.R.H.  Princess 15,  ioi 

Chrysom's,  St  Cemetery   ., 104 


Page 
Chudleigh,  Miss  (Duchess  of  Kingston) ... 

12,  22,  166 

Churchwardens'  Accounts 97,  100 

Ciborium 82,  83,  108,  115 

Cilin-ap-y-Blaidd  Rhud  17 

Cirencester 181 

Clarence  and  Avondale,  Dukeof...  101,175,176 

Clarendon,  Lord   189 

Clarke,  Rev.  H.  C 19,  100,  216 

Clay,  W 27,107 

Clergy,  Clerks,  Chaplains  of  Tong 19 

Clews,  Mr 152 

Clockmaking  151 

Cocking 152 

Codsall  Wake 152 

Coffins 64,  159 

Coiffure 42 

Coins 25 

Cole,  Mr 47,  55,  65,  95,  116,  124 

Colemere,  W.  Esq 132,  144 

College  19,  21,  36,  38,  54,  83,  96,  in  to  124, 

216,  217 

College  Chapel  124 

Commandments 75 

Communion  Plate    83,  108 

"  Contoise" 31 

Consecration  Marks 55,  56,  76 

Constable's  Office 44,  45,  60,  128 

Convent  Lodge  156 

Coppice  Green  134 

Coracle 149,  150 

Corbet,  Andrew 224 

Cornwall,  Rycc 223 

Coronation-day  52,  60,  72 

Cotton,  John 132,  133,  218,  219 

Cotton,  Wm 19 

Court  of  Tong 11,  212 

Cow  Haye  132,  141 

Cowper,  Earl 190 

Craig,  Mr.  Jas 185,189 

Cressage  192 

Crest 73 

Crompton,  Thomas 217 

Cromwell,  Oliver  81,  105,  174,  203 

Cromwell,  Thomas 162,  201 

Crosses 55,  56,  74,  103 

(Rood)  74 

Crowther 152 

Crucifix  74 

Cublesdon  32,  39,  218 

Cummings,  Mr 185 

Cynllaeth 17 

Daintry,  John 218 

Dale,  Mr 187,  188,  191 

Dalkeith,  Earl  of  15 

Dame  Joan  201 

Damer,  Hon.  Mrs.  Dawson  169,  171 

Daret 175 

Darfield    72 

Daunsey,  Dame  Elizabeth,  Lady...  86,  87,  88 

„  Sir  John    87 

Deacon 74 

Dead  Woman's  Grave 127 

Dean  or  Den  54 

Dene,  Beatrice   198 

De  Belmeis  See  B 

De  Bunsen,  Rev.  H.  G 133,  184,  188 

Deeds,  Ancient 146,  211  to  226 

Definitions  8,  10,  21,  29,  41,  42,  45,  85,  88, 

103,  126,  127,  134,  138,  139— 141,  150 
De  Hugefort  , 146,  198 


23° 


iNEyEX. CONTINUED. 


Page 

"  Dennis  Field" I32,"i39 

Derby,  Earls  of   64,  65,  67,  72,  179 

The 147 

Devonshire,  Duchess  ot 171 

Digby,  Sir  Kenelm    69,  172,  173,  174 

Digby,  Venetia See  Stanley 

Domesday  7,  8,  10,  20 

Donnington 94,  124,  133,  148,  195,  227 

,,  Monks  Pasturage  at 12 

Dove-cote 10, 11,  160 

Draycot 44 

Dress  ...  46,  50,  51,  55,  59,  65,  79,  124,  131,  168 

Dropping  Well  160 

Duchess  of  Teck,  H.R.H 101 

Dugdale,  Sir  William 32,  33,  68,  69 

Dunham,  Massey  72 

Dunster,  Mr.  Chas 187 

Durant  family 91 

Durant,  Edwin  Mr 155 

F.  O.  Mrs 154 

G 75,89,116 

George    12,91,155 

„         George  Chas.  Selwyn 12,  91,  155 

„         George  Stanton  Eld 12,  155 

Mr.  ...  65,  75,  82,  90,  108,  158, 159,  161 

„         Mrs.  Celeste 91,  155,  160,  171 

„  Richard   89 

Dureversale,  Wm 44.45 

Dymoke,  Sir  Edward 61 

„  Margaret    (See  Vernon) 

„  Sir  Robert 58,59,60 

Easthope 14 

East  Window 77 

„  „         ofChapel    43 

Eclipse 164 

Edric 45 

Edward,  The  Confessor 8 

Edward  VI. 19,  74.  "5 

Edwin,  Earl    8,9 

Effigies 29,40,41,42,64,65 

Einion-Efell    17 

Eiton,  John   36,217 

Eiton,  Sir  Richard 19,  216 

Elcock,  Ralph 19,  96 

Eld,  Miss 91 

Englefield,  Isabella    36,  216 

John 217 

Ercall,  William  de    198 

Ernulf,  Chaplain   19 

Evans,  Thomas  Mr 148,  191 

„        Miss  Francis   188,191 

„       Lady    190 

Evelith 131,  180 

Eynsham  64 

Eyton,  Fulke    36,  216,  217 

„       Nicholas 36,216 

„      Roger 217 

Factory 150 

Fair n,  123 

Famous  Ladies 166,  167,  168 

"Fermor"    138 

Figure  of  Priest 55 

Fisher,  Lady  181 

Fisherwick  88 

Fishing   II,  147 

Fitcherbot,  Esq 144 

Fitzherbert,  Mrs 166,  169,  170 

,,  Sir  Anthony  146 

„  Thomas    169 

William   103 

Fitzherberts     ; 132,188,200,204 


Page 

Font   „. 27 

Forest  Laws 7,  14 

Forester,  Edric  the  45 

family 13,  107,  130,  131,  176 

,,         Col.  Hon.  Henry  Townsend  ...     14 

Hon.  Selina  L.Weld 13 

John 14,  176,  202 

Lord 13,  131 

Richard    14,  131 

,,         Robert       176,  224 

Thomas 176 

Mary  176 

Forster,  Anthony  131 

,,        Humphrey  176 

,,        or  Forester,  Isabella...  131,  166, 

175.  176 

,,        Thomas    19,  130,  179 

Forge,  Tong   133,  142,  150,  151 

,,  „      Bridge 144 

,,  ,,      Brook  142 

,,  ,,       Hammer 142 

Fortescue,  Frances 72 

Fowke,  William 87,  88,  216 

Fowl  House,  pyramidal 159 

Fox 23 

Frontal  Pulpit    83,98 

Gailey  196,  209 

Gallery 74 

Gallowses    152 

Gamble 152 

Gargoyles no 

Gerbier 175 

Giffard,  Charles  Mr 87,  179,  182,  194, 

196,  2oo,  210,  217,  218 
Giffard  family...  80,  163,  179, 199,  218,  219,  220 

Giffard,  Sir  John  203,217 

Giffard,  Sir  Thos 204 

Gilbert,  Ralf  222 

Gildenmorton,  Manor  of 112 

Glass,  Stained    77,  96 

Glever,  Wm 215 

Golden  Chapel 22,  36,  47,  49,  53,  54 

Gospel  Road,  Gospel-trees   136,  144 

Granges 10,  n,  37,  123 

Grafton   51 

Greatbatch,  Sam  151,  152 

Great  Ness  131 

Grey,  Sir  Richard 63 

Groom,  Rev.  L 201 

Grosvenor,  The  Countess 15 

Gunpowder  Plot,  Proclamation  Tong  164, 165 

Gwenwynwyn    17 

Griffith  of  Cae  Howell,  Kynaston,  &c.    17,  18 

Griffiths,  Ap  Griffith 39,  127,  236 

Haddon    12,  42,  45,  46,  49,  51,  63,  71,  177 

Haighway  Road 152 

Hadham,  Roger 213 

Haligode  212 

Hallelujah  Victory 3 

Hall,  S 19 

Hall  The,  Tong 160 

Hall,  Thos 19 

Halston  175 

Hamilton,  Duchess  ot 168 

„  George 159 

Hanaper   21 

Hanbury,  George 15 

Harcourt,  Margery   n 

„  Orabel  n 

Wm.de 2,11,145 

Harding,  Revs.  G.  and  J iQ 


In- 


dex.  CONTINUED. 


2-U 


Page 

Harding,  Mrs 108 

Hare,  Lucy 107 

Harewood,  Countess  ol  15 

Harlaston 52,  216 

Harlegh,  Alice    198 

Harlewyn 212,  214 

Harpour,  William  le    213 

Harries,  Ann  12 

,,         Elizabeth  (see  Pierpoint) 12,80 

Lady  46,  158 

Lady  Eleanor 80,  82,  83,  98,  108 

Sir  Thomas   ...  12,  65,  80,  83,  92,  158 

Harrington,  Lord  and  Lady 41 

Harrison,  George  99 

Harriot  or  Heriot 127 

Hartley,  John 153 

Harryson,  Henry  223 

Hatchments 92 

Hatham 214 

Hatton,  John  130 

Haughton 160 

Havjmnah    12,  90 

Hawarden   135.  x44 

Hay    14 

Heathill  or  de  Hethull    212 

Hell  Meadow 122 

Hempenstall,  A 149, 150 

Henry-de-Hugefort  11 

Henry  1 2,10,45 

„      III ii,  40 

„       IV in,  112 

„       V 19,  112,  115 

„       VI 54 

Hengist 2 

Henry  VII 59,224,225 

VIII 13,49,59,114,115 

Hereward 9 

Hermit  of  Tong 156 

Hermon 217 

Herons  153 

Hickes,  Sir  B 217 

Higgs,  Daniel  and  Maria    57 

High  Ercall 174 

Hilton,  Robert    19 

Hodnet  ■...  43,52,63 

Hogs    ii,i47 

Holbein 114 

Holmes,  George 133 

Holy  Rood  ....: 74 

Holywell  200 

Homilies,  Book  of 25 

Hooker.J.  S 184 

Hope,  Mr.  Jas 185 

Hops 115 

Horse  Brook 206,  210 

Horse  Shoes  Inn  153 

Horton,  John 133,  151 

Hospital    95 

Hotspur    38,  72 

How,  Mr 132,  140,  145 

Howard,  Thomas 177 

„        William  177 

Roger 177 

Howe,  Countess 14 

Hubbal  Grange  10,  37,  137,  179,  203,  204 

Huddieston,  Mr 180 

Hulle.Thos.de  la 212 

Hulter,  John   19 

Hugefort 11,  32,  146,  198 

Hunt,  Will  164 

Hurst,  A 140 


Page 

Hyde  (or  Yde) 210 

Hyll,  Richard 224 

Hynkeley 214 

Idsall 19,  130,  133,  142 

Image  of  Blessed  Virgin    11,  73,  147 

,,      of  St.  Bartholomew    11,  73 

Iynsey,  Sir  Wm 217 

Inscriptions...  43,  53,  57,  63,  64,  67,  88,  91, 

93.  94.  157.  158,  159.  160,  161,  169,  173 

Isabel's,  Lady,  Well    140,  210 

..        •. 205 

Iron  Ore  142,  143 

Jacks,  Joyce   216 

John,  King 2,  11,  196,  205 

Jowe,  John 215 

Jones,  "Rosy"  151 

Jones,  Mr.  W 151 

Jones,  Lancet   133 

Jorwerth  Goch   17 

Jury 151 

Katherine  of  Arragon,  Princess 49,  236 

Keepers'  Meadows    144 

Kenyon  Slaney,  Lady  Mabel    15 

RobertO.  R 15 

Sybil    15,  149 

Colonel,  M.P  15 

Kilsall  132,135,196,215 

Kingston,  Earl  of,  Evelyn  1st  Duke...  12, 

57,  82,  90,  116,  135,  166,  167 

,,         Earls  of   12,81,82,93 

King  of  the  Peak    71 

Kitcat  Club 167 

Knight  Constable  of  England  44 

,,       of  Mawddy 17 

„        Doctor    199 

Knockyn  72 

Knoll 137 

„      Tower    161 

Knowsley 71 

Kynaston,  Humphrey  17 

„  Judith  17 

Kynton,  Viscount 72 

Lascelles,  Henry  Viscount    15 

Lascelles.  Hon.  Edward  Cecil 15 

,,         Lady  M.  Selina  15 

Lacy,  Lord  of 72 

Lady  Wicket  Field   189 

Lafefve,  Celeste  91,  155 

Lance 150 

Lane,  Mistress  Jane 181,226 

Langefofot,  Mawde,  dau.  of  Sir  Ralph  ...     59 

Llanfyllin  127 

Lapley,  and  Priory...  19,  38,  112,  115,  130,  192 

Lathom,  John    64,65,218 

"  Lass  of  Richmond  Hill  " 170 

Lawrence,  Rev.  R.  G 19,  133,  147 

Lawrence,  Thos,   19 

Lassels,  Mr 181 

Lectern 46 

Lee  Court 190 

Lee,  William 214 

Leotric  8 

Leeke,  Rev.  R.  H /,(. 

Leper  Well 210 

Leslie's  Cavalry 141,  179 

Levison,  Jone 87 

R 88 

Library,  The  Minister's 25,0 

I.ilk'sh.dl  Abbey 10,  148,  210 

l.iuli'Noll    155 

Lime  146 


232 


Index — continued. 


Page 

Lines  to  Bellringers 99 

Lingen,  Elizabeth  de  (see  Pembruge)... 

30,  32,  37>  38 

Lingen,  Sir  Raffe 30,  38 

Little  Harriots  Hays   127 

"  Little  Nell  " iv.  155 

Lizard  Grange  10,  IX,  123,  133 

Lizard  Mill 136,  142 

Lollards    113 

Long  Birch 207 

Longford  83 

Long  Marston 181 

Louvre 160 

Ludlow 45,  49 

Alice,  dau.  of  Sir  Richard  de 63 

Benedicta  de   37 

John    63 

Sir  John   41,52 

Sir  Richard,  Kt 52,  63 

Sir  Thomas 37 

Lumley,  Lady  Ida  F.  H 14 

„         Hon.  Osbert  15 

Lusard  10 

Lye,  Master  John  19 

Lyne,  Sir  Roger 223 

Lyttletons 90 

Madeley  180 

Man,  Lord  of  and  the  Isles   72 

Manners,  Lady  Katherine  13,  189 

„         Sir  John  12,  71,  217 

„         Sir  Richard 115 

Manor  of  Tong 105,  132,  212 

Manorial  Courts,  Leet  and  Baron  125,  127, 133 

Manweryng,  Rycc 223 

Maps  and  Plans ix.,  x.,  xii.,  122,  226 

Margery  de  Harcourt  11 

Market  or  Fair n,  105,  123 

Marl  145,  146,  147 

Marlpit,  Methplekes 11,  132,  145 

Marmion 59,  60 

Marriages     162 

Marrion  Road 133 

Marshal  of  England 60 

Mary  Queen  of  Scots  71 

Masons,  R 133 

Matthews,  Rogers,  Esq.,  and  Ursula 17 

Mausoleum 159 

Maypole  136,  137 

Meashill    u,  132,  139,  140,  145 

Mears,  Thomas 103 

Meddings,  George 153 

Meeson,  George  19 

Mercia,  Earls  of,  Morcar  and  Edwin...  1,  8,  9 

Meredith-ap-Bleddyn 17,  18 

Merlin  5,6,7 

Merstone,  Thomas   215 

Mervyn,  King  of  Powys 17 

Middleton,  Lord    79 

„  Sir  Thomas  79 

Mill,  the  Water  11,  132,  133, 135 

Miller,  The 136 

Millfield    147 

Milner,  Thomas  19, 162 

Minerals  Leasow  139 

Misereres 74 

Mitton,  Griffith  216 

Mitton,  John   216 

Mohun,  Lady 42 

„        Lord  72 

Molineux,  W.  H 19 


Page 
Monasteries,        Colleges,        Hospitals, 
destruction    of  114,  162,  203,  207,  219, 

220,  221 

Moncreiffe,  Sir  Thomas 13 

Monks   75 

Montague,  Mr.  Edward 166,  168 

,,         Lady  Mary  Wortley  ...  iv.,  12, 

82,  166,  167,  168 

Montford 208,  209 

Montgomery,  Earl  Hugh  de 10,  20 

„  Earl  Roger  de    9,  10,  20 

Montrose 178 

Montrose  Lucy,  Duchess  of 16 

Monument,  Knoll 161 

Mountrath  Diana,  Countess  of 16 

More,  Sir  Thomas    114,115 

"  Morralls  meicell "  139 

Morse,  William,  or  Mosse  19,  in,  116 

Mortimer,  Ralph  de 45 

Muckleston,  J.  F 19 

Murdock,  Mr 139 

Mytton,  Edward,  Esq 88 

„        Jane  216 

,,        Joan  176 

„        John 175,216 

„        Thomas    18 

Mytton  Family 13,  88,  216 

Nave 27 

Neachley  Grange  ...  15,  145,  151,  196,  218,  226 

New,  Mr 177 

Newport  152,  177 

Newport,  Geo.  Cecil  Orlando  Viscount...     14 

„         Lady  Anne  16 

,.         Lord  174 

„         Margaret  112 

„         Sir  Richard 175 

„         C.  Rycc 224 

Newport  Family 13,  16,  18,  52,  182,  206 

Newport,  William    112 

Nether  Haddon 67 

Neyll,  Robert 222 

Niches  104 

North  Aisle 27 

Northumberland,  Earl  of  72 

Norfolk,  Duke  of  176 

Norton  (see  Tong  Norton)    11,99.212 

Norton  Heath 107,  132,  141,  179 

Nuts,  gathering    11,  147 

Nunnery  of  Brewood,  see  Black  Ladies 

Observator 191 

Office,  Constable's    44,  45 

Offoxey 137 

Old  Castle    49 

Old  Mill    160 

Oliver,  Peter  173 

Orde-Powlett,  Hon.  Win 14 

Order  of  the  Garter 35 

Ore's  Bank  140 

Ore,  Thomas 105,  133,  151 

Organ 61 

Organ,  Old  Gothic  27,  61,  62,  63 

Orlyngbere,  St.  Mary  of in 

Oswestry  127 

Owners  of  Tong  10,11,12,13 

Parker,  John  the  212 

Palfreys 147 

Parham 79 

Park  (Tong) 11,  137 

Park  Pale 132,  137,  140 

Parker,  John  lc,  and  Cecilia 212 


Index — continued. 


233 


Page 
Parker,    John,    Oliver,    Avice,  Amore, 

Edith 212 

Patingham,  Lady  Ysabel  of  210 

Payne,  Major    91 

Paunage  of  Hogs n,  147 

Peckes  Ye,  or  Peche 87 

Pedestal    73 

Pelham,  Lucy,  daughter  of  Sir  John  84 

Pembruge,  Pembrugge,  Penbrugge,  Pem- 

brugeor  Pembridge  ...  2,  11,  34,  35-  45-  5° 
Pembruge,  Dame  Elizabeth  nee  Lingen 

12,  ax,  30,  32,  37.  39.  i".  I21 

Fulcodel 11,121,147 

Fulco  de  II 11    111,112, 

121,  147,  211,  212 

Fulco  de  III 12,35,213 

„  Fulco  de  IV.  ...  12.  30,  35,  36, 

213,  214,  216 
Half-brother  ot  Fulco  de  I. ...     11 

Henry n 

Isabella 214,215 

,,  Juliana   

„  Margaret    36 

„  Robert  de 12,35,213 

,,  Sir  Fulke  de  21,  30,  33,  36,  38,  39 

Pencions  221 

Pendragon   3 

Pendrell,  Penderel,  or  Pendrill 147, 

178,  179,  182,  192,  201,  203 

Pendrell  Cave 189 

Percy,  Lady  Lucy,  daughter  of  the  Duke 

of  Northumberland   67,70,72 

Percy,  Sir  Thomas   72 

Percy,  Thomas  72 

Pertry    140 

Peshall  de 13,  206,  213,  ?i4 

Pew  or  Peiw    126 

Peynton,  T 100 

Philarchus   190 

Pierpoint 117,  152-  163,  166 

„         Elizabeth,    daughter  of  Lord 
Gervasede...  12,81,82,84, 

92,  93.  97 
„  Elizabeth,  daughter  of  Wm. 

and  Elizabeth  ...  84,  92  93, 112 

„         Gervase  Baron  82 

„         Gervase  Lord 12,  93,  150 

„         Hon.  William 12 

,,         Lady  Mary  167 

,,  Robert  de 

Pietier,  Lewes 19.  100,  107,  133 

Pigeons 127 

Pigs    142 

Pillars    74 

Pillar  of  Mary 73 

Pikemere  Hollow 141 

Piscina 56,  85 

Pitchford  Oak 192 

Plans,  see  Maps 

Plate,  Communion    108 

Plaxton,  Rev.G 186 

Pochards  153 

Pool  of  Tong  (the  Great)    11,  147 

Pool,  Church  135 

Poole,  Walter 27 

Population   152 

Porch     26 

Porlock  Effigies 23,48 

Pound    121 

Powis,  Prince  of 17 

Powys,  Lord   63 


Page 

Preface  to  first  edition 7 

Preface  to  second  edition  6 

Pres,  William  de 211,  212,  213 

Prescon,  Sir  John 180 

Prince  Arthur  Tudor...  47,  48,  56,  99,  224,  225 

Prince  Charles  174 

Prince  Edward  II 

Prince  of  Wales,  H.R.H.  (George  IV.) ...  169 

Princess  Margaret 57.227 

Prioresses 196, 197,  198,  201,  204,  205, 

206,  210,  222,  223 

Prior's  Lee  142 

Priors  Road 121 

Proclamation 164,  165 

Public  Houses  (old)     128,  153 

Pugh,  Isaac 127 

Pulesdon,  Roger  de  213 

Pulpit    46,83 

„       or  Oratory 156 

Puritans    73 

Pype,  Redware  44.  46 

Pype,  Sir  Robert    43.  44.  45 

Queen  Anne   79 

Queen  Elizabeth 61,  65,  71,  72 

Queen  Mary  61,  72 

"  Queen  of  Love  and  Beauty  " 149 

Queen  Elizabeth  of  York   224 

Ralph,  Mr 188 

Red  House  Inn  153 

Registers 19,  115,  1G2,  1G3,  104,  165 

Restoration 24 

Rheims  Abbey 54,  112,  115 

Rhys,  Prince  of  South  Wales  18 

Richard  III 5X,  59,  72 

Richmond    51,  72 

Richmond  Park 16 

Riley  183 

Rivet  Carnac,  Rev.  G.  C 19,  46 

Rhodri  Mawr 17 

Robyns,  Wm. 212 

Roe,  Rev.  John  207 

Roger,  Robert 223 

Rogers,  Edith 212 

Roman  Road  7 

Rood  Beam 30 

Rood  Cross 74 

Rood  Loft    30,74 

Rosary  Lodge 160 

Rouen.  Captain  of 37 

Round  House 160 

Rowena 5 

Rowson,  Sir  Thos 222 

Royal  Forest  (Wrekin)   131,  195 

Royal  Oak   178,  183 

Royal  Visits 49,  ioi 

Rubens,  P.  P 174,  175 

Ruckley  Grange 10, 11,  12,  133 

Ruckley  Wood   11 

Rudhall,  Abraham    100, 103 

Rugge 196 

Rungey  Hale  72 

Rupert  Prince     174 

Rutland,  Duke  of 13,  56,  71,  82,  177 

„         Duchess  of 189 

„        Earl  of 71 

St.  Bartholomew's  Day 11 

St.  Leonard's  Nuns  of,  see  White  Ladies 

St.  Denys 139 

St.  George,  L.  H 19 

St.  Paul's  Cathedral  10,159 

Salden  72 


n\ 


InDex — continued. 


Page 

Salter,  George    133.151 

Salter,  Doctor '. 216 

Salter,  Mrs 151 

Saltworks 148 

Sarra 196 

Sayings 152 

Scarbrough,  Earl  of 14 

Scott,  Wm.  and  Elizabeth..., 107 

Scot,  Thomas 133,  163 

Screens 28,  29,  73,  74 

Scuddamore,  Mr 148 

Seats,  Old  Oak 26,75,216 

Sedilia  85 

Seal   27,  121,  130,  146,  205,  213,  215,  216 

Seile    44,  224 

Serfs 8 

Seymaur,  Lady  Horatia 171 

Seymour,  Miss 171 

Shakerley    144,  147,  196,  200 

Shakspearian  Inscription  68 

Shaineljrd   in 

Shaw,  The n,  121,  136 

Shaw,  Mr.  T 141 

Shaw,  William    19,  111,  116,  121 

Shawfield     121 

Shaw  Lane i2r,  136 

Shelton  Oak 192 

Shields See  Arms 

Shifnal  2,  7,  19,  124,  142,  212 

Shireford,  Robert  de    19 

Shottesbrook 36,  38 

Shrewsbury 49,  52,  74 

„  Abbey    10,  in 

Battle  of 38 

,,  Earls  of  (see  Talbots) ...  45, 

47,  48,  51,  2t6 

„  Great  Earl 51 

"Sir"    54 

Sir  Hugo  147 

Skeffington,  Cecilia  88 

„  Johanna   88 

„  John  86 

Sir  William 88 

William    86 

Tablets 85 

Skinner,  Mr 173 

SkotThos 215 

Slaney,  Elizabeth 94 

Slabs  : 27,28,63,200 

Small  Ore's  Bank 140 

Smith,  Robert  the  1  or  Lefevre)    212 

Smith,  William  and  Joan,  The 213 

Smith,  Fulk 213 

Smythe,  William  169 

Smythe,  Sir  E 169 

Somerset,  Lord  Protector 115 

Southall,  Wm 19 

Souling 152 

Sow  and  Pigs 142 

Speaker,  The 37 

Spernor,  Spernores,  Spermore    44 

Spirit  Lane 210 

S.S.,  Collar  of 40,  42,  58 

Stained  Glass 77 

Staindrop  Church 41 

Stafford,  Lady  131,  175,  177 

Stafford,  Edward,  Baron  175,  176 

„        Henry,  Baron  176 

„        Roger  176 

Stamford,  Dame  Margaret 204 


Pago 
Stanley,    Arabella,    Marie,    Alice    and 

Priscilla 67 

„         A.  P.,  Dean 70,71 

„        Frances   68,  72 

„        George 72 

„        Henry  67 

„         Jane  Strange  de  Knockyn 72 

„         Lady  Lucy  (see  Percy )  67 

„         Margaret  (see  Vernon)  ...  12,  64, 

65,   217 

„         Petronella   68 

;,        Sir  Edward   ...  12,  64,  65,  67,  69, 

70,  72,  80,  173,  217,  218 
„       Sir  Thomas.  .2,  12,  65,  67,  69,  70,  71,  72 

„        Strange,  Lord 72 

„         Thomas  (son  of  Sir  Edward)  68, 152 

„         Tomb   64,70,174,175,226 

„        Venetia,   Lady  Digby...  68,  69, 

72,  166, 171,  172,  173,  174 

Staple,  Sir  John 225 

Stevenson,  W 151 

Steventon,  Thomas  216 

Stinking  Lake    210 

Stocks   . 151 

Stokesay 52 

Stone  Cross : 144 

Stones,  Robert    133 

Stoneyford  7 

Storm,  &c 164 

Strange,  John  Lord  72 

Stratford  189 

Streetway 141 

Stubbs,  Mr 188 

Sudbury 52 

Sundial 105,  151 

Swilcar  Oak 190 

Swan.  Walter 19 

Swynfen,  Jocosa    44 

„  Margaret  (see  Vernon) 44 

„         William 44 

Tailor,  Nichol  the 152,212 

Talbot,  the  great  Earl  (Shrewsbury  and 

Talbot) 48,  51 

Talbot,  John,  2nd  Earl    47.  51 

„        Lady  Anne   47 

„        Sir  Gilbert    51 

„       Sirjohn 51 

Tanat,  Morris 17 

Tavlebois,   Margaret,   daughter    of    Sir 

"Gilbert  59 

Taylor,  William... 107 

Teck,  H.R.H.  the  Duchess  of  ...  101,  180,  192 

Temple,  the 189 

Tetherton,  James  140,151 

Thanes 7>  8 

Thonglands 3*  7 

Thoresby , 81,  82 

Thorneycroft,  Major    153 

Thorpe,  Sir  E.  de 41 

Thursfield,  Rev.  R.  P 191 

Tibshelf 197 

Tiles,  Old 56,84,200 

Tilton 174.  i75 

Timlet  Bridge 133,  142,  144 

„        Hollowav    n,i44 

Site  for  Mill 12 

Tithe  Bam  137 

„      Pig 138 

Token    H-: 

Tomb  destroyed    34 


Index — continued. 


235 


Page 
Tong,  Tuange,  Twanga,  Thonk,  Tugge, 

Thonge  name  of 2,  5,  7,  11 

Tong  Castle  (see  Castle)  5,  49.  79,  82,  83, 

84,  90,  91,  27, 153,  170,  W*  174.  189 

„      Lake  128,144,148 

,,      Norton  7,  II,  105,  107,  124,  183 

,.      Park  House 144 

"  Tony-lire  the  Fagot "    131 

Tortworth    19° 

Tostig    8 

Tournament    148)  H9 

Tournay    59 

Trees  Famous 190,  192 

Troutbek's  Heire  51 

Trussel,  Margaret  32.38 

Trussel,  Sir  William     32,3^,39 

Trusseley 216 

Trusty  Dick i79>  181 

Tumulus  105 

Turner.  Alice 151 

Tutbury    19° 

Twickenham  Park    16 

Twiss 152 

Upton   14 

Urn 158 

Vauxhall  Cottage 159 

Vernon 33,  34,  38,  39,  45,  46,  49.  52,  152 

„       Alice,  daughter  of  John  Ludlow...    63 

Arthur    19,  51,  53,  54,  55.  222 

„       Benedicta  (wife  of  Speaker)37,38,4i ,43 

„       Chantry See  Golden  Chapel 

„        Dorothy   1*,  71,  177,  217 

„       Edward  and  Margaret 63,  64 

„       George  (of  Hodnet) 63,177,216 

„       Henry 64 

„       Humphrey 42,  51,  63 

„        Lady  Anne  47,  5° 

Lord     64,101 

„       Margaret.      Abbess      of     West 

Mailing 52,  61,  201 

„        Margaret    (wife    of   Sir    Thos. 

Stanley) 12,  64.  65.  67,  72, 177 

„        Margaret  ("daughter  of  Sir  Robert 

Dymoke)    57,  58 

„       Margaret    (wife  of   Sir    George 

Vernon) 59.  70,  II 

„       Margaret  (Swynfen),  wife  of  Sir 

Wm 43,44,  45 

„        Mary  52 

,,       Mawde   (2nd    wife  of  Sir    Geo. 

Vernon)   59,  217 

„        Richard  (father  of  Speaker)  34,43 

112,217 
Richard.  Esq.    ...  12,  37,  39,  5i>  58,  85 

Sir  Arthur     19,  53,  54,  55,  57,  223 

„       Sir  Edward 65 

,,       Sir  George 12,59,63,65,67 

„        Sir  Harry  ...  12,  46,  47,  49,  53,  54, 

56,  57.  63,  90,  100,  202,  216,  224,  225 
„        Sir  John  (of  Sudbury)  ...  64.216.  223 

„       Sir  Richard 12.  34,  35,  37,  39. 

41.  52,  54,  58  112,  214,  215,  216,  218 

.,       Sir  Thomas 63,  65 

„       Sir  William 12,43,45146 

„       Thomas  (of  Houndshill)  63 

„       Thomas  (of  Stokesay)  52 

Vestment 97-98  20^ 

Vestry    95,98 

"VigflofArms"    58 

Vivary    u 

Vortigern, , , 3,4,  5 


Page 

W-addingham 137 

Waddington  M.  de  192 

Wagstaffe  Thos 222 

Wales,    Princes  of    17, 18 

Walk,  Dorothy  Vernon's  71 

Walking  the  Boundaries   134,  135,  136 

Wall,  Ellinor 80 

Wall,  Manor  of 44 

Walsall 225 

Walter,  Herbert    194 

Waltham  or  Walthamstow   68 

Walton,  Thos.  de 214 

Warde,  John  le  28,212,213 

Warde,  Richard 19 

Wardens    19, 112,  116,  117,  123,  223 

Watchman 128,  129 

Water  Tilting 149 

Water  Mill 11 

Watling  Street  7,141 

Wedges 150 

Wells     136,140,210 

Weld  (sometimes  Wyld),  Edward 169 

Wellington  Forest   195 

Wellington,  Sir  Roger,  vicar  of  216 

Wemme   36 

Wenlock,  Thomas    142 

West  Mailing 52 

Weston-under-Lizard     ...  19,  39,  49,  124, 

128,  195,  214 

Church  88,  216 

>>  ,,  i,       Park     i3, 132, 140, 

173, 189 

Weston,  De  13,195,  198,210 

Whalebones    158 

White  Ladies  ...  12,  56,  86,  87,  88  98, 139, 
145, 147,  179, 189. 194,  200, 

203,  209,  2l8,  219,  220,  221 

,,         ,.        "Close" 139 

White  Oak  137,  139,  189,  204 

White,  Winifred    200 

VVhitgrave,  Mr 180,  190,  199 

White  Sitch    : 196 

Whytemore,  John  de  la  196 

Whyston,  Sir  Nicholas  de    39 

Wiche,  Dame , 92 

Wigmore ",45 

Wilbrahams    13 

Wilkes,  John  136 

William  1 9,  43 

William  (Parson  of  Tong) 19 

Willoughby,  Lord 81 

,,  Hon.  Henry  79 

Wilmot,  Lord 89 

Wilson,  C.  T 19 

Windmill  or  Windrills   141 

Witnesses  to  deeds,  and  other  persons 
not    immediately     connected    with 

Tong  216,  218,  219,  222,  223 

Woburn    190 

Winwick 6J.  71 

Wixstone,  Wm 213 

Wolsey.  Cardinal 203 

Wombridge 130,  217 

Woodlands 141,  189 

Woodshawt  T 100 

Wool 150 

Woolrich,  James    19.115,116 

Woolley   151 

Worcester.  Battle  of  89,178 

Worsley.  Sir  Thomas 16 

Wren,  Sir  Christopher  159 


236 


Index — continued. 


Page 

Wright,  Mrs 173 

Wright,  Mr 202 

Wrottesley 210,  216 

Wylde,  Ann  (nee  Harries)  12,  79.  80,  8i,  158 

„       Edmund 80 

„       or  Weld,  John,  senior 12 

„       John,  junior 12,80 

Wysston,  Roger 223 

Yate,  Yates,  or  Gate 132, 152,  203,  210,  212 

Yeames,  Mr.  R.  A 168 


York  Parliament 12 

York.  Duchess  of.  H.R.H 101,192 

Ysabel  of  Pattingham,  Lady 210 

Zetland   Countess  of. 15 

Zouche  La  2.  10.  II,  32,  198 

„   Alan 10,11,145 

„   Alice it 

„   Roger 11, 146 

„   William 10 

„  Elizabeth    197 


'II    -I  IK 


IProspertto  be  tfjg  pacje ! 

— Shakespeare,  Cymbeline. 


(Confioinrj,  speefc  tfjen,  on  life's  Venturous  mao  ; 
&fjg  satis  ate  set— tfjs  launcij  tfje  tfirst  of  JHau. 


Queen  Katherine  : 

&fter  mo  oeat^  C  misf}  no  otfjer  Kerala, 
$o  otijer  speaker  of  tug  liointj  actions, 
€0  keep  mine  ijonour  from  corruption 
But  sue!)  an  fjonest  cfjronicler  as  ffiriffttjj. 

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Gough's  History  of  My d die,  demy  4to. 
History  Shrewsbury  School,  demy  4to. 
Walcott's  Abbeys  of  Shropshire,  demy  4to. 
Register  Shrewsbury  School,  1562 — 1635,  demy  8vo. 
History  Free  Masonry  in  Shropshire,  demy  8vo. 
Word  Book,  Shropshire,  demy  8vo. 
Folk  Lore,  Shropshire,  demy  8vo. 
Shropshire  Archaeological  Society  Transactions,  demy  8vo. 
And  many  other  Local  Works. 

COPIES  OF  MOST  OF  THE  ABOVE  MAY  BE  OBTAINED. 

WILLIM  HOWe,  *• 

6,  Chester  Street, 

SHREWSBURY, 

BUILDER    OF 

CARTS,    WAGGONS,    LORRYS,   FLOATS,    do. 

CONTRACTOR  FOR 

Galvanized   Iron    Dutch    Barns,    Covered    Yards,  &c. 

MAKER    OF 

Iron  Hurdles,  Continuous  Iron  Fencing,  and  all  kinds 
of  Iron  Work. 

W.H.  has  the  largest  and    best  Stock   of    IMPLEMENTS    AND 
MACHINES  for  the  Farm,  Garden,  and  Dairy,  in  the  Midlands. 

Special  Discount  for  Cash.       Illustrated  Lists  Free. 

\Xnlal*I7*M    HOWE, 

6,  Chester  Street,  SHREWSBURY. 


STKMP  OFFICE,  SHIFJWR 

RICHARD  LOWE, 

Jttachine  printer,  bookseller,  <Stationer, 

BOOKBINDER, 

Patent  Medicine  Vendor,  &c,  &c. 

Agent  for  Horniman's  Pure  Tea,  The  Singer  Sewing  Machines,  &c,  &c. 


The  London  and    Provincial   Newspapers, 
Magazines,  and  Periodicals, 

Regularly  supplied  to  order,  and  delivered  in  all  parts  of  the  town  (daily)  immediately 
on  their  arrival  at  i»-30  a.m. 

Advertisements  Received  for  all  Newspapers,  &c. 

Sole  Agent  in  Shifnal  and  Neighbourhood  for 

LIPTON'S     TEAS     AND     COFFEES. 

RICHARD  LOWE,  Stationer,  Market  Place,  Shifnal. 


NOVELTIES    IN 
<     HOICE     BUSINESS     UlRCULARS,     (gARDS, 


TRADE    ANNOUNCEMENTS, 


^H 1 1 


OFFICE    SPECIALLY    FITTED 
FOR 


LAIN     /\ND     iRNAA\ENTAL     ^RI^TING 


OF    EVERY    DESCRIPTION. 

ESTIMATES   AND   SPECIMENS   SUBMITTED. 


Aju jl  H]G]S    BROS » , 

General,    Furnishing,    Builders'   and 
Estate   Ironmongers, 

42  &  43,   CASTLE  STREET,    SHREWSBURY. 


SPECIALITIES  : 

Slow  Combustion  Register  and  other  Grates. 

Ranges — Close  and   Open   Fire. 

Encaustic  Tile  Work,  &c. 


Matthew  Harvey  &  Co., 

SADDLERY  HARDWIRE 
-<  MANUFACTURERS, 

glkbeijAnd  "wo:r,:k:s, 

WALSALL. 


JOHN  TAYLOR  &  CO*, 

Bell  Founclepg        Bell   Hangepg, 

LOUGHBOROUGH,  %** 

**£      LEICESTERSHIRE. 


-+8-     ESTABLISHED      FOUR     CENTURIES.     -34- 


Founders  of  the  great  Ring  of  Twelve  Bells 
of  St.  Paul's  Cathedral ;  also  the  Bourdon  Bell, 
11  Great  Paul,"  the  largest  in  England,  weighing 
37,483/65. ;  the  heavy  Rings  in  Worcester,  Newcastle, 
and  Edinburgh  Cathedrals ;  the  Imperial  Institute, 
and  many  others. 

A    SPECIALTY. 


UNDER      DISTINGUISHED     PATRONAGE. 


OAKENGATES,  SALOP. 


^w — ■w — yr — ^r — -w 


GROUPS,     ANIMALS,     MACHINERY,     &c, 

PHOTOGRAPHED     BY     APPOINTMENT. 


I^©T©@R^I?j-!S    may  be    finished    in,   any  of 
the  prevailing  styles,  by    the    latest    processes. 


The  New  Permanent 


are  becoming  more  fashionable  every  day ;  they  'will  not  fade, 

and   the    Engraving-like    appearance    is   unquestionably   the 

most  artistic  yet  produced. 


At   Home"   Portraits   a  Speciality. 


PRICE     LIST     MAILED     FREE     ON     RECEIPT     OF     POST     CARD. 


WOLYEEHAMPTON. 

-+8>5*§+- 

The  Star  &  Garter  Royal  Hotel, 

patTjily,   (5omrr(ercial7   ar|d    Isosti'ng     pouse. 


NIGHT      PORTER.       —        TELEPHONE 


MISS    BE/ITTOIT, 


a/GX      MANAGERESS. 


mei^y  *  gsoEQfim 


(LATE    JOHN     BULLOCK.) 


$gr   Family  Grocer,  Provision  Dealer,  and 
General  Ironmonger, 

Mig5    Stpeet,     2>5\fftal    Salop, 

GARDEN   SEEDS    OF    THE    BEST    QUALITY. 


Established    1796. 

A.    &    W.    J.    MASSEY, 

MECHANICAL    AND    HYDRAULIC    ENGINEERS, 

LOWER   BAR   FOUNDRY,    NEWPORT,   SALOP. 


MASSEY'S    Improved 

SINGLE-ACTING 

HYJOHAULIC 

HAMS 


For   Supplying  Water  to 

Villages,  Mansions, 

Farmsteads, 


These  Rams  can  be  ma;le  to  work  Automatically  where  the  supply  is  limited  and 
insufficient  to  keep  them  in  constant  operation. 


MASSEY'S     "DOWNTOW"     WHEEL 


Is  specially  designed  for  Low  Falls,  from  six  inches,  and  adapted  for  Working  Pumps 

for  the  Supply  of  Water  to  Towns,  Villages,  Mansions,  and  Farmsteads  ;  also 

for  Irrigation. 


Experienced  Men  sent  to  any  part  of  the  Country  to  measure  Streams, 
take  Levels,  &c,  in  view  of  estimating  fur  fixing  either  Hydraulic  Hams 
and  Pipes,  or  "Dcwnton"  Wheels  and  Pumps. 


J^ewpopt  &   Mapket    Dpa^ton    KcLvepti^ep,' 

Published  on  Saturday. 

*%*;    "Stone   &    Eeek^all    Kavertijser," 

Published  on  Friday  Night,  for  Saturday. 


These  Papers  have  an  extensive  circulation  throughout  Shropshire,  Staffordshire,  and 

Cheshire,  comprising  a  rich  and  prosperous  district — Agricultural,  Mining, 

and  Commercial  in  its  character. 

Advertisements  intended  for  this  Paper  must  be  received  not  later  than  Friday  Morning, 

H  Hit  3< 

HORNE    &    BENNION, 

-H-     PEIUTEBS       &       PUBLISHERS,    -H- 
Ncwport,  Market  Drayton,  and  Stone. 


HORNE    &   BENNION, 

§xittfol$f   $tt(li*JWd,   and    eBoofe&iti^ei^, 

Newport  and  Market    Drayton,   Shropshire ; 
and    Stone,    Staffs. 


<^ox'K§r» 


ALL     DESCRIPTIONS    OF 


PLfMI]  %    0OLOURED    LETTER-PRESS 
-m-   PRINTING.    -98- 


EMPIRE    AND 
LIBERTY. 


PEACE    WITH 
HONOUR. 


P^IIQ^OSE  *  LEMUE. 

WESTON    HABITATION,    No.    854. 

— ■&&&■ — ■ 

Dame    Present:    THE    COUNTESS    OF  BRADFORD. 


COUNCIL- 

TBE  LADY  MABEL  KENYON-SEANEY.  ,  M,f  MONCKTON    Bre»ood  Ha«. 

Blymhill.  . 

M,  GEORGE  OR.FF1THS,TWSSn-unae,L,ari, 

mHE   Tern-  of  ,W-^J^X?S*wS 

'X      1/6  entrance  fee  and      6  annual  W>  bute  for     ^ 

orDame-badge  or  brood),  2/--and  10  an  ^ 

Assocmte-badge,  3d    g^^JSe  yearly,  between 


|                     14  DAY  USE 

1     RETURN  TO  DESK  FROM  WHICH  BORROWED 

LOAN  DEPT. 

1       This  book  is  due  on  the  last  date  stamped  below,  or 
[                        on  the  date  to  which  renewed. 

Renewed  books  are  subject  to  immediate  recall. 

1  ,«i -.«*»• 

r "  ■                      '     i  J 

nri*1  1  Q  'cr    r'  niu 

utl  14  bb-5  PM 

LOAN  DEPT. 

LD  21A-60m-7,'66 
(G4427sl0)476B 

General  Library               1 

University  of  California        H 

Berkeley                     J 

*  « •##. 


••■    . 


•     V* 


'4#    «fcT"  *  *. 


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